(1)This section applies to a grant-maintained school which was an aided or special agreement school immediately before it became a grant-maintained school; but the provisions of this section are subject to section 87 of this Act.
(2)In the case of a school to which this section applies the provision for religious education for pupils at the school which is required by section 2(1)(a) of this Act to be included in the school’s basic curriculum shall be provision for religious education—
(a)in accordance with any provisions of the trust deed relating to the school or, where provision for that purpose is not made by such a deed, in accordance with the practice observed in the school before it became a voluntary school; or
(b)in accordance with any arrangements made under this section.
(3)Where the parents of pupils in attendance at such a school—
(a)desire them to receive religious education in accordance with any agreed syllabus adopted by the local education authority for the area in which the school is situated for use in schools maintained by the authority; and
(b)cannot with reasonable convenience cause those pupils to attend any school at which that syllabus is in use;
then, unless the governing body are satisfied that owing to any special circumstances it would be unreasonable to do so, they shall make arrangements for religious education in accordance with that syllabus to be given to those pupils in the school during the times set apart for the giving of religious education in the school in accordance with the provision for that purpose included in the school’s basic curriculum by virtue of section 2(1)(a) of this Act.
(4)No person shall be disqualified by reason of his religious opinions, or of his attending or omitting to attend religious worship, from being employed (otherwise than as a teacher) for the purposes of a school to which this section applies.
(5)No teacher in a school to which this section applies shall receive any less emolument or be deprived of, or disqualified for, any promotion or other advantage by reason of the fact that he gives religious education or by reason of his religious opinions or of his attending religious worship.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Ss. 79-91 modified (1.1.1994) by 1993/3103, reg. 3, Sch.2