Religious Observance and Collective Worship in Schools: A Human Rights Perspective

This chapter examines whether the current law and practice in the UK on religious observance and collective worship in schools meets the UK’s human rights obligations. Without an opportunity for the withdrawal of children from these practices, there would be breaches of the right to freedom of religion or belief, and the right of parents to ensure that any education received by their children does not conflict with their own convictions. The chapter examines possible problems with opt-outs as a means of securing genuine respect for rights. It also considers whether the different treatment of Christian and non-Christian worship gives rise to discrimination on grounds of religion or belief.