The number of primary school pupils opting out of religious observance in school assemblies in the Scottish capital has more than doubled in a year.

 

An Edinburgh City Council report said a review of some practices had been carried out and changes made after concerns were lodged.

Out of 88 primary schools, a total of 181 individuals in 31 schools opt out of religious observance for all or part of the programme.

This is an increase of 107 since last year and a rise of 19 primary schools with pupils who opt out.

Out of 23 secondary schools, a total of 14 young people from three schools opt out.

This represents an increase of 11 young people from session 2013-14, when it also involved three schools.

Gillian Tees, director of children and families at the council, lists the range of organisations visiting schools in the city.

It includes the Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic Church, The Gideons, Scripture Union, Baptist Church, representatives from Sikh, Hindu and Jewish communities, the Army Padre, Prayer Space, Bible Alive, the Edinburgh City Mission and Young Life.

Of the 11 special schools in the city, two pupils from two schools opt out. There is no comparative data from last year in the report.

The nursery and early years sector is excluded from the legislation.

The report is to go the city's education, children and families committee next week.

Ms Tees said: "The religious observance programmes in a small number of schools were causing concern because of their limited nature and lack of balance.

"The headteachers of these schools have been contacted, phased programmes of improvements have been agreed, and revised programmes are now being implemented.

"In particular, one cluster received significant support: the public stance of the chaplain did not meet the expectations of the majority of the school community, or of the authority in terms of the City of Edinburgh Council Equalities Policy.

"A series of meetings were held where the role of the chaplain was discussed and, as a result, his approach in schools changed.

"Members of the Quality Improvement Team will continue to sample Time for Reflection events in schools as part of their ongoing support and challenge visits."

Last month a council at the centre of a row over the promotion of young earth creationism in one of its primary schools became the first to introduce tough new measures to protect children.

South Lanarkshire Council adopted a raft of new rules for non-denominational schools including criminal records checks for chaplains and the insistence that teachers should be present during visits by religious groups.

It also drew up guidance to ensure homophobic or creationist teaching is barred and parents are to be told who is talking to their children in school.

That came after, in 2013, it emerged that a member of the West Mains Church of Christ, a US-based sect that does not believe in evolution and condemns gay relationships, had been invited to become a chaplain at Kirktonholme Primary, in East Kilbride.