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Hello,

Welcome to this monthly update from the No More Faith Schools campaign.

This month will see further easing of lockdown across the UK. While we don't know how fast this will continue, or even reverse, it allows us to begin thinking about implications for campaigning and in particular events. We will only resume physical events when it is not only permissible, but socially responsibly to do so.

I'm hopeful that we can have a full programme of talks at local groups in 2021. This can be a great way to energise an existing group or galvanise a new one. I can address local groups for 30-40 minutes, and I'm happy for as long as you choose for questions afterwards. The talk should be engaging and informative for those with all levels of pre-existing knowledge on the subject and focuses on activism.

If you or your group are interested in organising such a talk, please get in touch.

We've been continuing to launch local campaign pages against new or expanding faith schools and in favour of inclusive community ethos education. In the last month we launched four pages in Wales, in addition to five in Northern Ireland in the previous month, and more will be coming soon in England.

To make these a success we need your help. On that note, we're grateful for the positive responses to last month's featured article 20 ways you can support an end to faith schools today Supporting a local campaign is a great way to get started.

Thank you very much for your support.

Kind regards,

Alastair Lichten
NMFS campaign coordinator

** News & opinion

* Sponsor of planned new Sikh school loses control of existing school <[link removed]>

The government has ended a Sikh school's funding arrangement, while the academy chain involved applies to fund another faith school.

* NMFS campaign urges support for secular education in Wales <[link removed]>

The NMFS campaign is arguing in favour of inclusive schooling amid plans which could see faith schools open or expand in parts of Wales.

* Parent’s perspective: My daughter was turned away from our local school on religious grounds <[link removed]>

My family has been discriminated against on religious grounds – and our four-year-old hasn't been admitted to any of... Read More »

** Recent petition comments

"There is a Sikh, a Muslim, a Catholic and a Church of England school for junior pupils all within 5 miles of where I live. This is very divisive and not at all good for the future community if these children grow up feeling they are all different. Young children need to mix with people of different faiths and backgrounds to ensure a cohesive community in the future and a better understanding and tolerance of all backgrounds."
- Anthea, from SLOUGH

"It is both astonishing and appalling that the Scottish Government condones and therefore supports sectarian educational provision. The sooner it distances itself from this hypocrisy, the sooner it reinstated its own credibility."
- Martin, from EDINBURGH

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