‘Creation Policy’ Grindon Hall Christian School given final approval to open as Free School

Grindon Hall Christian School has signed its funding agreement with the Department for Education (DfE) to open as a Free School. The news, which was confirmed to the British Humanist Association (BHA) by the DfE, means that the school has now gained final approval to become a fully state funded school from next month. The BHA has expressed regret at the decision of the Government to fund a school with such a clear record of teaching creationism as science, as set out in its ‘Creation Policy’. However, the DfE also told the BHA that John Burn, one of the most prominent advocates of teaching creationism in state schools, is no longer chair of governors of the school.

The BHA first discovered the school’s ‘Creation Policy’ document on 16 July, leading to national press where the school said that they would not teach creationism in science but in assemblies instead. On 25 July, the BHA revealed that the Chairman of Governors of the school is John Burn, former chief academic advisor to the Emmanuel Schools Federation and longtime opponent of evolution.

The DfE has now told the BHA that Grindon Hall Christian School has signed a funding agreement with them to open as a Free School – meaning that it has now gained final approval. However, John Burn is no longer Chair of Governors – though it is unclear why this is, and if he is still a Governor at all.

BHA Head of Public Affairs Pavan Dhaliwal commented, ‘We are deeply disappointed that, despite the overwhelming evidence of this school’s having taught creationism until very recently, and the large number of voices in opposition to it joining the state sector, it will now do this. While it is a positive sign that John Burn is no longer chair of governors, we nonetheless remain deeply unconfident about the decision to approve the school in spite of its past.’

‘We will continue to challenge the Government to ensure its policy on creationism and schools becomes sufficiently robust.’