Sikh schools and academies in England

ABSTRACT

A diverse range of Sikh organizations have shaped the direction of Anglo-Sikh education, including the Guru Nanak Sikh Multi Academy Trust (GNSMAT), Nishkam Schools Trust (NST), Khalsa Academies Trust (KAT) and Sevak Schools Trust (SST). The new Sikh Free Schools have also been heavily influenced by the discourse of British Multiculturalism, which is discernible in their aims, approach to education, Sikh values and attainment. This article will bring to light the political and social conditions which made Sikh Faith Schools a reality in England and their impact on the educational landscape of Britain today.

KEYWORDS:

• Multiculturalism
• integration
• academies
• Free Schools
• Ofsted

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Table 1. Percentage of adults (aged 16 years and over) reporting highest level of educational attainment as degree or equivalent by religious affiliation, England and Wales, 2012–2018.

Table 2. Sikh Schools in England. 14.07.20.

Notes

1 Consult Table 1 which shows "Percentage of adults (aged 16 years and over) reporting highest level of educational attainment as degree or equivalent by religious affiliation, England and Wales, 2012 to 2018."

2 Consult Table 2 which provides a comprehensive breakdown of Sikh schools in England up to July 2020.

3 The General Certificate in Secondary Education (GCSE) is the benchmark school leaving qualification in England and Wales. The General Certificate: Advanced Level (A-level) is the most popular post GCSE academic pathway to Higher Education in England and Wales. The vast majority of A-levels are taught in school sixth forms, sixth form colleges or colleges of further education.

4 The Progress 8 measure was introduced by the DfE in 2016 and seeks to measure a student's progress in secondary school compared with their starting point upon leaving primary school. For example, if a school has a Progress 8 score of 0.25 this would mean that, on average, students in this school achieved a quarter of a grade more than other pupils nationally with similar starting points.

5 The new post 2010 Faith Schools in England have either of two designations: Faith School or Ethos School. The former follows the tenets of a recognized faith and is subject to a Section 48 Faith Inspection by the DfE in consultation with the recognized religious authority of the school. The latter offer an "ethos," and therefore, are not allowed a distinctly religious character. The best example of this type of school is The British Sikh School now known as The Khalsa Academy, Wolverhampton who do not provide instruction in Sikh teachings but have offered programs in Sikh History. NST schools are unique in that they are ethos schools which provide a "multi-faith" education around a shared “spiritual space" as opposed to a conventional Gurdwara.

6 The Khalsa Academies Trust has a comprehensive webpage devoted to its origins entitled "History of Khalsa Academies Trust" which can be accessed at https://www.khalsaacademiestrust.com/3711/history-of-khalsa-academies-trust

7 This paragraph is based on observations drawn from the author's employment as Humanities Lead and Section 48 (Faith) Lead at Seva School, 1 September 2017–31 December 2020.