Church to let in more pupils who are not Christians

Church of England schools will admit more children who do not go to church every Sunday under the biggest admissions overhaul in a generation.

Headteachers will be urged to reserve no more than 10 per cent of places for pupils whose families are practising Anglicans. The move could spell an end to the practice of parents using church attendance to guarantee a place.

The Rt Rev John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, the head of the Church's board of education, said the move should go ahead even if it damages exam results. He told the Times Educational Supplement he was not convinced that schools should be dominated by families who go to church. He said: "I'm really committed to our schools being as open as they can be."

There are no guidelines on how many children of different religions state-funded faith schools must admit. The Church will publish its admissions guide this summer.