Faith Schools and Admissions

[02.11.09]

A Jewish school has been accused of breaching race relations law over its admissions policy. The Supreme Court case centres on the London school's refusal to admit a boy whose mother converted to judaism in a way it does not accept.

The court's judges held that Jews are an ethnic group. Denying places to people who do not fall into this group is grounds for racial discrimination.

Ministers have warned that such a ruling has implications for all Jewish faith schools (currently 33) and Sikh schools (currently 5), which also tend to relate to specific ethnic groups.

For more informational see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8327636.stm

James Robson 2/11/09