Equality Bill

My Lords, the noble Baroness, Lady Turner, will not be surprised to learn that these Benches do not support her amendment. The diocese of Liverpool has more than 120 schools and three city academies. I declare an interest in that I have been personally involved in interviewing for the principals of each of the three academies. Those candidates were, indeed, required to share the Christian faith. The Government welcome the role of the churches in education. I was very glad to hear the noble Baroness, Lady Morris, refer to the work done by the churches, especially in deprived areas. The work that we have done with our city academies has, indeed, improved the aspirations and achievements of young people in deprived areas. We are aware that not only do the Government welcome the Christian ethos in education in our church schools but that parents welcome it, given the number of parents who apply for their children to be admitted. The young people themselves—the pupils—make a significant contribution to the whole character of the school community by sharing that ethos. The character of any institution and, indeed, of any school, flows directly from the character of its leadership. It would be very difficult indeed to fulfil the Government’s endorsement of faith and church schools if the Bill removed the requirement that the principal or head teacher should embrace the ethos which they are called to promote. Therefore, we oppose this amendment.