A new campaign group, Accord, has been launched to “stop state-funded faith schools from discriminating against students and teachers on the grounds of religion”. Accord includes (progressive) Christian, Hindu and Jewish groups and individuals as well humanist and secular campaigners. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers also backs Accord. I expect Simon Barrow of Ekklesia will be one of the main figures campaigning for the group.

The opening shots in this battle have been fired over the past week by Accord’s opponents, including Christian and Jewish representatives who say criticisms of faith schools do a “disservice to the huge value that faith schools add to our state education sector and the extent of appreciation that parents and students have for these schools”.

No word, yet, from any of the main Muslim groups.