England: two independent schools gain faith designation

The Department for Education has updated the official list of independent schools in England recognised as having a religious character. The statutory instrument, recorded on legislation.gov.uk as SI 2025/1311, was made on 12 December 2025 and takes effect on 13 December 2025. Although the Order extends to England and Wales, the changes concern independent schools in England.

Two schools are newly designated. St Thomas of Canterbury CE Primary School (EX17 6QE) is recognised as Church of England. Edullect Academy Independent School (RM3 8SB) is recognised as Islamic. The Order is signed by Deputy Director Susan Whitehouse on behalf of the Secretary of State, as set out on the UK legislation website.

Designation is a legal label that recognises a school’s existing religious character; it does not create or change that character. Under section 124A of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, designated independent schools may take limited account of a teacher’s religion or denomination when making specified decisions about appointments or promotions where that is relevant to the role, as the explanatory note on legislation.gov.uk confirms.

This permission is specific and must be used lawfully. Where a faith requirement is set-for example for leadership, chaplaincy or certain religious education posts-the rationale should be clear and tied to the job’s duties. The Order does not alter admissions, fees or curriculum arrangements. It clarifies how a school’s recognised ethos can be reflected in staffing choices.

The instrument also removes ten legacy entries from earlier designation orders because the schools have either closed or are no longer to be designated. The affected entries include Queen Margaret’s School (YO19 6EU), St Joseph’s Convent School (BB12 6TG), Barlborough Hall School (S43 4TJ) and Bishop Challoner School (BR2 0BS), according to the note published on legislation.gov.uk.

Mount St Mary’s College (S21 3YL), St John’s Beaumont (SL4 2JN), Rydes Hill Preparatory School (GU2 8BP), Fulneck School (LS28 8DS), Ilford Ursuline Preparatory School (IG1 4QR) and Our Lady’s Convent Senior School (OX14 3PS) are also revoked. Revocation concerns the legal designation only; it is not a statement about ethos or quality.

If you lead or govern an independent faith school, take this moment to refresh HR policies and recruitment templates. Keep any faith-linked criteria proportionate, document why the requirement is necessary for the post, and explain it clearly in adverts and interviews so candidates understand expectations. Good record‑keeping helps ensure decisions remain fair and defensible.

If you are a teacher, most posts at designated schools remain open regardless of faith. Where a specific faith commitment is essential, the advert should say so and explain why. Pay, safeguarding and professional standards continue to apply in the usual way. If you are unsure, ask for the school’s policy on posts with a faith requirement.

For families, day‑to‑day life is unlikely to change. The Order confirms, in law from 13 December 2025, that a school already operates with a particular religious character. It does not introduce new admissions powers and it does not rewrite a school’s curriculum. It is mainly about clarity in staffing and ethos.

To check or cite the details, look up SI 2025/1311 on legislation.gov.uk: the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (No. 2) Order 2025. It was made on 12 December 2025 and signed by Susan Whitehouse for the Department for Education.