Creationist schools are given the go ahead to open free schools.

The Education Secretary, Michael Gove, has approved three free schools run by groupswith creationist views, including one with a document on its website declaringthat it teaches "creation as a scientific theory".


Oneof the schools in the list which was approved by Michael Gove, Grindon HallChristian school in Sunderland specifically states on its website that it willpresent ‘creationism as science and affirm the position that Christiansbelieved God’s creation of the world is ‘not just a theory by a fact’. Anotherschool on the list such as Sevenoaks, located in Kent, states on its websitethat it will teach RE classes that ‘God made the world’.

Secular groups have been concernedthat the free schools policy – which allows parents, charities or faith groupsto set up new schools – would allow the state-funded teaching of creationism.

Andrew Copson, chief executive ofthe British Humanist Association (BHA), said he was concerned that thegovernment's scrutiny of free schools was inadequate. "Grindon HallChristian school is a classic example of the so-called 'teach the controversy'approach, often used by American creationist groups to get creationism taughtin schools," Copson said.

"The issue with the 'teachthe controversy' approach is that there is no scientific controversy over evolutionand creationism. The scientific consensus is overwhelmingly in favour ofevolution."

GrindonHall says it teaches evolution as "an established scientific principle, asfar as it goes". However, the school's policy document adds: "We believe no scientifictheory provides – or ever will provide – a satisfactory explanation of origins,i.e. why the world appeared, and how nothing became something in the firstplace."

The school's principal says thisdocument is obsolete and the school would not teach creationism in science.

The Sevenoaks Christian school,due to open next year, says on its website: "The government has said thatfree schools cannot teach 'creationism' or 'intelligent design' in sciencelessons as an alternative to the theory of evolution and we are content toaccept this."

A third free school approved bythe government to open next year, the Exemplar-Newark Business academy, is afresh proposal from a group whose previous application was turned down becauseof concerns over its teaching of creationism. Backers of the school inNottinghamshire say creationism will be taught only in religious studies.

OnFriday, the DfE announced that102 free schools had been approved to open from next year, 33 of which describethemselves as religious. The department says creationism orintelligent design should not be taught as "valid scientifictheories" in any state-funded school. The government says it expects tosee evolution included in the science curriculum of all free schools.

A DfE spokeswoman said: "Itis absolutely not true that this free school will be able to teach creationismas scientific fact. No state school is permitted to do this. We have clearguidelines about what schools can and cannot teach. Any free school found to becontravening the guidelines will be in breach of their contract and will besubject to action by the department, including prohibiting them fromoperating."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/jul/17/creationist-groups-approval-free-schools