One in five councils have experienced increased demand for state school places in the past six months, according to a survey by the Local Government Association, with another one in eight councils expecting extra pressure on places in the future. More than 15 per cent are also reporting a rise in families applying for free school meals for their children. This comes on top of news earlier this year that 25 of the 33 councils in London were experiencing capacity problems or were expected to within two to three years.

Once again, then, the plight of parents trying to decide what kind of schooling would be best for their children is in the news: a quite possibly overcrowded state school with temporary classrooms or disruptive expansion programme? an independent school possibly facing an uncertain financial future following news this week that as many as two out of five may fail to qualify for charitable status under new rules? one of the many faith schools, whose quality and distinctive ethos seems regularly to come under attack? or the increasingly popular trend towards home-schooling, given recent support by Essex County Council but now viewed suspiciously as a new target for government regulation?

It is into this complex and often confused situation that the Jubilee Centre has formulated with the Evangelical Alliance's Forum for Change Education Cluster a shared 'Point of View' on Education. Seeking to express a common position on what Christians think about education, this aims to address the Church, the educational community and the wider society. It submits that the best education:

• Helps everyone to develop their life-affirming physical, mental, emotional and spiritual capacities to their full potential; for all humans are of infinite value, made in the image of God.
• Promotes the life-long development of character and wisdom, not just the acquisition of skills and knowledge; for true understanding requires discernment.
• Involves families and the local community as closely as possible; for the primary responsibility for education lies with parents and families, not the state, and the context is always our relationship with others.
• Enables us to find our place in and contribute to wider society, using our gifts and resources responsibly; for personal fulfillment is to be found in loving our neighbour.

Read the full statement and let us know what you think in the comments below.

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