Reposted from:
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk

A teacher applying for a senior job at a Teesside school claims he was confronted by "religious intolerance" at his interview.



Dr Simon Valentine, 48, said he was amazed at the "right wing Christian" approach he found at King's Academy in Coulby Newham.

The school reacted with surprise and refuted his claims of what happened at the interview.

Dr Valentine, a part-time university tutor, applied for the position of head of philosophy, theology and ethics (PTE) at the school, which has a strong Christian ethos.

But instead of being asked about teaching style, he says he was quizzed about his views on birth control and whether he believed in Noah's Ark.

"They were asking for a missionary, not a teacher," said Dr Valentine, himself a Methodist lay preacher.

The school is sponsored by Sir Peter Vardy, head of the Reg Vardy car empire and chairman of the controversial Emmanuel Schools Foundation.

"I had five different interviews from staff and members of the Vardy Trust and they were basically sussing out my views on birth control and the Roman Catholic Church," said Dr Valentine.

"I have to say I was made very welcome when I arrived, but we were being grilled according to our theology rather than our teaching ability.

"They asked me what I believed to be the most important duty as head of PTE.

"I replied by saying how important it was to prepare pupils for state examinations, but I was cut short by a sarcastic and disturbing comment - 'What is the point of sending young people out into the world with 20 GCSEs when they're going to go to Hell?'

"Not surprisingly, to my great relief, I was not offered the job. I know it may appear that this is sour grapes from me but it's not.

"Among other things I was angry that my taxes were financing a school which seemed intolerant and imposing one very narrow religious view on its pupils."

Dr Valentine tutors part-time at the University of Bradford and comes from Lancashire.

Mr Nigel McQuoid, director of schools at Emmanuel Schools Foundation, said: "It should be no surprise that he was asked questions relating to world religions, the Bible or Christian theology, especially as King's Academy is keen to maintain both its Christian ethos and its publicly-recognised position as an inclusive school, which gives full and proper respect to students and staff from all religions and none.

"Throughout the day, we were at no stage concerned by Dr Valentine's answers to our questions and he expressed a growing enthusiasm for the post as the day went on.

"At the final point of the interview, he was asked if he remained a serious candidate for the post and he said that he most certainly was.

"His allegations are untrue and the negative way in which he has chosen to interpret the day is disappointing to say the least.

"Thankfully, the vast majority of our students continue to be able to distinguish between the Academy's Christian ethos and their own ability to think and decide what matters for themselves.

"They also enjoy a community spirit in which those from all faith groups and none are happy to work, rest and play alongside each other in an effective and constructive community."

A spokeswoman for the department of education and skills said: "The Vardy Academies do what is required by law.

"The National Curriculum syllabus for science requires that the theory of evolution is taught and this requirement is fully met.

"The National Curriculum specifically states scientific data can be interpreted in different ways and produce different theories (eg the theory of evolution).

"The Vardy Academies' curriculum fully meets these requirements and Ofsted is content with science teaching at them."