Schools in danger of ratings downgraded if not having Christian daily worship

Enforcing religious observance is one of the most efficient ways of killing genuine religion.

i think the reasons for it are historic.
when compulsory schooling became law in 1870, the vast majority of free schools were founded and funded by the church of england, in england.
so state provision extended and was grafted on to that.
so because they had been the main providers of any education to the masses before the 1870 act, the church of england got that clause inserted into the act.
and it's still there.
but obviously where the majority of the local populus is non-christian they do less specific assembly, or get an exemption from doing it at all, as in birmingham.
i've never heard of catholics walking out of traditional assembly, it was only jewish where i was, and some of them stayed in.

Callistemon

felice the C of E is established so perhaps that is another reason why it may only apply to England.

Does anyone know?

It applies in Scotland too. At least, one had to opt one's child out if one didn't approve.

I’ve got a vague memory about pre-1870 having Cof E schools (National) and non- denominational schools ( British). The primary my dd went to still has the word British carved in stone above the original entrance. The Cof E fought like mad against state provision of education iirc and when it became inevitable tried to insist on having Anglican religious teaching but there was a backlash from the non-conformists and it was agreed thar only non- denominational religious teaching could take place.

Baggs I've just checked and it applies in Wales too - so these Acts must be in force still even though education is devolved and the Church is not established in Wales or Scotland.

My other 2 Grandchildren are in Scotland and they do not have compulsory services in either of their schools.

I don't think the Act requires services, felice, just "observances", which can be interpreted fairly widely. That said, it's good if your grandchildren don't have religious observances foisted on them either.

I've always been of the opinion that religion should play no part in a state school education. If parents wish their children to be educated in a particular faith, then they should put their money where their mouth is and have them educated privately.