Faith schools can be defined as educational institutions that have a specific religious ethos or a formal link with a religion. They have to follow national curriculum, although they are free to primarily teach about their own religion.

Faith based schools generally are state funded faith schools, although many independent schools also have a religious ethos. Faith schools have to comply with the Schools Admissions Code, but they can give priority to pupils who are of the faith of the school. This exemption is legislated by the Equality Act 2010 (Section 85). However, state-funded schools must admit other applicants if they cannot fill their places. This legislation applies primarily to England as the devolved nations have their own educational legislative policies.

There are around 7,000 or so faith based schools out of 21,000, the large majority are either Church of England or Roman Catholic. Of which, 37 are Jewish, 7 Muslim, 2 Sikh, 1 Greek Orthodox and 1 Seventh Day Adventist. (These figures are under review awaiting up to date data from Government).

The first Hindu school as recently as 2010. Prior to this, Hinduism was the only major world religion which did not have a dedicated faith school in the UK. There are now at least 5 state funded Hindu faith schools in England. They are sponsored by the Avanti Schools Trust which is linked to the International Society for Krishna Conscientiousness (ISKCON) who are the religious governing body for the Avanti Schools. The first Hindu secondary school is currently under construction.

There is also an independent Hindu faith school run by the BAPS Swaminarayan community in Neasden, London. According to the Daily Telegraph Schools Table in 2011, the school was the top  independent schools in terms of educational achievement and fourth in the whole of England. In total there are 6 Hindu faith based schools in the UK.

Useful Contacts:

Krishna Avanti Primary School, Leicester

Krishna Avanti Primary School, Middlesex

Avanti Court Primary School, Barkinside

Avanti House Primary School, Kingsbury, London

Avanti House Secondary School, Stanmore, Middlesex

BAPS Swaminarayan School

Terminology relating to faith schools

Voluntary Aided Schools (VA Schools)

In England & Wales, a VA School is a state funded school in which a religious establishment contributes to the capital costs and has substantial influence in the running of the school.

Voluntary Controlled Schools (VC Schools) 

In England, Wales & Northern Ireland, a VA School is one where the state funds it fully although a

religious establishment has some formal influence in the running of the school. But it has less

autonomy that a VA School.

Academies

In England, Academy Schools are state funded schools directly funded by the Department of Education (central government) and independent from the direct control of local authorities. Academies are non-profit charitable trusts, but may receive additional funding from personal or corporate sponsors. Academies are primarily secondary schools with a few primary schools with the same status. Academies are subject to the same National Curriculum as state schools and are subject to inspection from Ofsted. The majority of academies are secondary schools, but some primary schools also have academy status

Free Schools

In England, a Free School is a type of Academy funded by the state, non-profit-making and independent of the Local Authority.