The Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (Amendment and Revocations) Order 2026
Updated the registered postcode for one school and revoked the religious character designation for eight closed independent schools.
This Order modifies the official list of independent schools in England designated as having a religious character.
It updates the registered address for Ahavas Torah Boys Academy and removes the religious designation for eight schools that the Department for Education identifies as closed.
The Order applies to the Secretary of State for Education and the governing bodies of the named independent schools, affecting their ability to apply religious criteria in staff employment decisions.
Arguments For
The order states that the amendment to the 2014 Order is necessary to reflect a change in the postcode for Ahavas Torah Boys Academy.
The explanatory note asserts that the revocations are required because the specified schools have closed.
Proponents may argue the order ensures the official registry of independent schools with a religious character remains accurate and legally up to date.
The document notes that the Secretary of State has followed the required procedure specified in the Religious Character of Schools (Designation Procedure) (Independent Schools) (England) Regulations 2003.
Arguments Against
Legal scholars might note that the order relies on the accuracy of Department for Education records regarding school closures and relocations.
Affected parties might question the administrative necessity of formal revocations for schools that are no longer operational.
The document notes that no full impact assessment was produced, which some stakeholders might argue limits the transparency of the changes on the voluntary or private sectors.
Citation, commencement and extent
- —(1) This Order may be cited as the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (Amendment and Revocations) Order 2026 and comes into force on 29th August 2026.
- (2) This Order extends to England and Wales.
This section establishes the official name of the legal instrument and sets the date it becomes active as 29 August 2026.
It specifies that while the order applies to the legal jurisdiction of England and Wales, its substantive provisions concern schools located in England.
Amendment of the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2014
- 2 In the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2014( 4 ), in the entry relating to Ahavas Torah Boys Academy M7 4QX in column 1, for 'M7 4QX' substitute 'M7 3NJ'.
This section updates the official record for Ahavas Torah Boys Academy.
It replaces the previous postcode (M7 4QX) with a new one (M7 3NJ) in the 2014 Order that designates the school's religious character.
Revocations
- 3 The following provisions are revoked-
- (a) in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2003( 5 ), the entry relating to Our Lady's Convent School, LE11 2DT;
- (b) in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (No.3) Order 2003( 6 ), the entry relating to Hereford Catherdral Junior School, HR1 2NW;
- (c) in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2004( 7 ), the entry relating to Bedstone College, SY7 0BG;
- (d) in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (No.6) Order 2004( 8 ), the entry relating to Maidwell Hall, NN6 9JG;
- (e) in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2005( 9 ), the entry relating to Milbourne Lodge Junior School, KT10 9EA;
- (f) in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (No. 3) Order 2012( 10 ), the entries relating to-
- (i) Focus School - Long Eaton Campus NG10 4HR, and
- (ii) Trinity Christian School, RG2 7AG;
- (g) in the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2023( 11 ), article 3(1)(e).
This section cancels the religious character designation for eight specific schools across various previous Orders dating from 2003 to 2023.
By revoking these entries, the order removes the legal framework that allowed these institutions to use religious considerations in employment and admissions, based on the fact that these schools have ceased operations.
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