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Warning about evangelical groups targeting schools

Evangelical groups are “targeting and exploiting” state schools as part of their missionary work, it has been claimed. A report from the National Secular Society (NSS) has scrutinised the activities of external visitors to schools and says it is concerned

A report from the National Secular Society (NSS) has scrutinised the activities of external visitors to schools and says it is concerned that some groups are “gaining access to children and young people”.

Evangelism in State Schools says that evangelical groups seek involvement in publicly funded education through RE provision, school worship, pastoral work, and bible-based school clubs. It says groups are operating not just in faith schools, but across non-religious community schools as well.

The NSS operates from the belief that there should be “no place in publicly funded schools for evangelism and proselytization”.

The report lists a total of 18 evangelical groups which it claims are currently active in schools in England and Wales, although it adds that this is by no means an exhaustive list.

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