TWO Worcester City Councillors have clashed heads on social media about rumours a new Worcester school could be a religious establishment.
Cllr Richard Udall, St John's city and county councillor, took to Twitter to share his concern over rumours the new school on Newtown Road could become a "faith school."
Cllr Tom Piotrowski, Battenhall city councillor, responded to the tweet, defending the concept of faith schools.
Cllr Udall argued that religion and education should be kept separate.
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He said: "Growing concern that Worcester's newest high school will become a faith school, where schools can legally discriminate attendance based on the religion of parents.
"We need to take faith out of education, religion is totally irrelevant to the real educational needs of children."
Cllr Piotrowski called the tweet "harmful propaganda" in his response and referenced religious freedom.
He said: "This is harmful propaganda, Richard. It’s unlawful for faith schools to leave places unfilled if there aren't enough pupils of their own faith to fill them.
"This is Britain not China and we need religious freedom."
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Cllr Udall responded with: "No other European country allows faith schools.
"Ireland has just agreed to phase them out. Faith has no place in education, the faith of parents should not determine the education of children."
Cllr Piotrowski argued that the response was not accurate.
He said: "That’s simply not true.
"In fact, religion is taught in most of the EU countries in public schools with the option for students to withdraw & take ethics instead.
"You need to get your facts straight, Richard."
Other commenters got involved in the conversation, with both councillors continuing to weigh in with their opinions.
In 2022, we need all schools to be multi-everything. As for faith, education should teach morals and allow kids to explore faith and chose which direction they feel comfortable with and at their pace.
— Ian of Worcester (@IanTwitts) August 31, 2022
Having been to a religious school I fail to see the need for concern. The school I went to was seen as the best in the town outside of the local grammar school.
— Steve Mather - Liberal Democrat (@DemocratSteve) September 1, 2022
This also comes across as intolerant of other peoples religious views Richard.
According to Gov.uk, faith schools have to follow the national curriculum, but they can choose what they teach in religious studies.
Faith schools may have different admissions criteria and staffing policies to state schools, although anyone can apply for a place.
READ MORE: Worcester will get a new high school in Newtown Road
The green light was given for Worcester's brand new secondary school in November 2021
Councillors unanimously backed plans for the major new site in Newtown Road.
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