ATTENDING a religious school will make no difference to a child’s learning, a new report from respected think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Scotland has claimed Its research into the performances of denominational and non- denominational schools suggested that “religious ethos had no impact on pupils’ educational outcomes”.
In Autonomy In The Right Place, the IPPR says its analysis shows that 45.37 per cent of pupils in religious schools gain three highers or more compared to 45.96 per cent in non-religious schools.
Meanwhile, 58.81 per cent in religious schools meet literacy and numeracy targets, compared to 59.64 per cent in non-religious schools.
Russell Gunson, director of IPPR Scotland, said: “Once you take account of intake, there is no evidence to suggest denominational schools, or non-denominational schools see better school performance or attainment. It may or may not be the case that different school types add value in other ways, but on the issue of pupil attainment, the hard evidence shows that a religious ethos in itself doesn’t make a difference.
“Instead we should focus on devolving education powers to the right level to make a difference so that teachers, parents, heads, pupils, councils and the Scottish Government can play the vital role they each need to play to close the attainment gap in Scotland.”
The report also analysed school governance reforms most likely to have a positive effect on attainment and suggested devolution powers at the local authority, regional or national level.
It suggested increasing breakfast, after-school, weekend and holiday provision for more deprived pupils and offering formal and informal learning for those at risk of falling behind.
The report also recommends creating New Regional Educational Partnerships, which would operate across councils to foster a culture of evidence. It believes new parent and pupil councils could bring greater accountability and devolution to schools.
Gunson added: “It’s crucial that school reform is evidence-led and that we go for change that has the best chance of seeing the improvements in outcomes that we want to see.
“This report helps to outline which changes will likely help and which may not, and we hope it’s timely ahead of forthcoming decisions on school reform in Scotland.”
Education Secretary John Swinney said: “As part of our reforms we are reviewing school governance to ensure decisions on learning are made as close to the child as possible.
“This approach is built on strong international evidence that shows empowered schools and engaged parents lead to better educational outcomes.
“The IPPR report is an important contribution to this debate, which concludes that reform of our schools is essential if we are to close the poverty-related attainment gap.
“I particularly welcome the view that devolution of power over learning to schools should be the default within the education system as that approach is at the heart of the governance review.
“The report also proposes new regional bodies to operate across local authorities in a move that would be similar to our plans for regional boards to foster collaboration and improve the spread of best practice among schools.”
Scotland has 370 state-funded faith schools, 366 Catholic, one Jewish and three Episcopalian.
A similar exercise undertaken in 2014 by Anthony Finn, the former head of the General Teaching Council for Scotland, but looking solely at Catholic schools, said the evidence showed they delivered “good results”.
His analysis of inspection reports showed 40 per cent of ratings for Catholic secondary schools were “very good” compared to 26 per cent in the non-denominational sector. Similarly, Catholic schools were given the top-rating of “excellent” for 11 per cent of areas assessed by inspectors compared to four per cent for the rest of schools.
“Not only are Catholic schools regularly judged to be caring, inclusive establishments in which positive values are nurtured, they clearly also offer high quality education and deliver good results,” Finn said.
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