Schedule 11
Equality Bill
7:30 pm
Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)
I beg to move amendment 253, in schedule 11, page 198, line 31, leave out paragraph 5 and insert—
‘5 (1) Section 80(1) and (2)(a) to (d), so far as relating to religion or belief, does not apply in relation to—
(a) a school, other than an academy, registered in the register of independent schools for England or for Wales, if the school’s entry in the register records that the school has a religious ethos;
(b) a school in the register of independent schools for Scotland if the school admits only pupils who belong, or whose parents belong, to one or more particular denominations;
(c) a school registered in that register if the school is conducted in the interest of a church or denominational body.
(2) Section 80 (2)(a) to (d), so far as relating to religion or belief, does not apply in relation to—
(a) a school designated under section 69(3) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (foundation or voluntary school with religious character);
(b) a school transferred to an education authority under section 16 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (transfer of certain schools to education authorities) which is conducted in the interest of a church or denominational body;
(c) a school provided by an education authority under section 17(2) of that Act (denominational schools);
(d) a grant-aided school (within the meaning of that Act) which is conducted in the interest of a church or denominational body.’.