england-and-wales education freedom-of-speech religion
Is it legal to force a atheist student to read a prayer in a Church of England UK academy?
<p>At my school, which is a Church of England academy, instead of assemblies, we do "Collective Worship" (although everyone still calls them assemblies). With whole-school assemblies, each class takes turns to pick a few students to read Christian prayers to the whole school. However, in my class, nobody has volunteered, so our teacher is threatening to pick names out of a hat. We (myself and a few other friends who agreed) argue that we cannot be forced to preach the existence of God when we are atheist, as that could violate freedom of speech or a law on religion. Our main points are that we would begin with "Dear Lord," implying that we believe in a God, then end with "Amen," which translates to "I agree/believe," which we don't.</p>

<p>Is forcing an atheist student to read a Christian prayer illegal or prohibited in any way?</p>

<p>Would Article 14 of the UNCRC apply?</p>

<p>Although an academy is state-funded, it is not the government, so limitations on what a government is allowed to do are not applicable, and anyway there is no First Amendment separation of church and state in the UK. I presume your school has a formal faith designation, which means that it is not subject to <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/85" rel="noreferrer">Section 85 of the Equality Act 2010</a>, which might maybe be a path for escaping the requirement.</p>

<p>The "collective worship" requirement is mandated by the government under <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/31/section/70" rel="noreferrer">Section 70 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998</a>, which is extended to academy schools by the funding agreements. The requirement is that "each pupil in attendance at a community, foundation or voluntary school shall on each school day take part in an act of collective worship". <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/31/section/71" rel="noreferrer">Section 71</a> provides an exception: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If the parent of a pupil at a community, foundation or voluntary
  school requests that he may be wholly or partly excused from receiving
  religious education given in the school in accordance with the
  school’s basic curriculum, from attendance at religious worship in the
  school, or both from receiving such education and from such
  attendance, the pupil shall be so excused until the request is
  withdrawn.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Since a religious academy is not subject to the national curriculum, deviation from whatever the religious requirements are stated in that curriculum is allowed.</p>
