Description:
This book examines the law and policy governing school acts of collective worship in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, and their equivalent in Scotland, which is known as religious observance. It aims to shine a light on an important issue that has often been neglected and ignored by policy-makers.
Review Quotes: An important achievement: in addressing increasingly controversial issues, in bringing legal and education experts together. Since the 1944 Education Act introduced a requirement for daily acts of collective worship in schools, society has become increasingly secular and diverse. How to reconcile such diversity with aspirations of many to maintain a religious perspective? This is essential reading. (Professor Richard Pring, Department of Education, University of Oxford)
At a time when the place of religion in education is under unprecedented scrutiny, this book offers a timely examination of the law, practice and policy governing collective worship and religious observance in schools throughout the UK. Written by well-qualified legal and educational specialists, it offers a valuable interdisciplinary perspective that is sure to inform and help shape the direction of future education policy. (Professor Ian Leigh, Durham Law School)