Schools White Paper

My Lords, on the second point, it is a requirement that faith schools should be open to pupils of all faiths. However, it is permissible—as the noble Lord knows—for faith schools to give preference to pupils of one faith. That is the basis on which a good proportion of faith schools operate at the moment. That same right would apply to new schools established that receive a designation of faith schools, but we are anxious, as are the schools themselves, that faith schools should be fully inclusive in their local communities and they do not have the right to refuse to admit pupils of other faiths. I acknowledge the important role of special schools. We will consult, as we set out in the White Paper, on how the arrangements will apply in the special schools sector. However, for the record, I would not want it to be thought that no proposal in respect of reorganisation of special schools can now come forward for the local authority. Local authorities have an important role in generating proposals to enhance educational opportunities in their areas. A proper process has to be gone through, but I should make it clear that there is not a blanket exemption of all schools from any process of having to consider how they can better provide for the communities in which they serve.