Carey defends more faith schools

The Archbishop of Canterbury today defended plans to create more Church of England secondary schools, despite mounting concerns over the potential " divisiveness" of faith schools.

A report into race riots in northern cities this summer said ethnic " apartheid" in local schools worsened community divisions.

But Dr George Carey said today there was no history of CofE schools excluding pupils from other faiths, and argued there was a good case for more faith-based schools.

He said: "The Church of England was in education before the state. There has been no history of exclusion. We want inclusion. As long as faith schools are signed up to the national curriculum and are inclusive, then they can make a tremendous contribution."