Kirpans in schools

On 7 August, Paul Waugh, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the DfE, replied to a written question from Rupert Lowe (Great Yarmouth, Restore Britain), asking whether guidance is issued to schools on assessing the eligibility of pupils to wear kirpans on school premises, as follows:

“Headteachers have my full support in ensuring schools are safe. Schools are advised by the department that decisions on uniform need to consider their individual circumstances, taking into account both religious freedom and pupil safety.

It should be possible for most religious requirements to be met within a uniform policy and many schools have arrangements in place to allow the wearing of kirpans alongside sensible safeguards, for example limiting their size and requiring them to be sheathed and further enclosed in a securely fastened cushioned pouch.

The department’s advice for schools on developing school uniform policies is available here.  The government keeps all its guidance under regular review.”

Solar panels again

The Westmorland Gazette reports that St Anne’s Church, Ings (which Frank frequently drives past), has finally been granted planning permission to install solar panels on its roof – though not as many as it had originally planned for.

In 2023, an application for 28 solar panels was rejected by the Lake District National Park Authority and the Planning Inspectorate upheld that decision on appeal: we reported the decision on the original faculty application here. However, the Park Authority has now approved an application for 20 solar panels and rejected the advice of its officers, who opposed the application.

In support of the renewed planning application, it was pointed out that Ings is a very small community – the church has a congregation of 20 in a village with a population of about 140 – and that the PCC would struggle to cover the building’s upkeep without the financial benefit of the solar panels. It appears that common sense has prevailed.

Dean of Guernsey

The Religion Media Centre reports that the Ven Matthew Trick, currently Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire, has been appointed Dean of Guernsey and will leave Derbyshire this month to start his new job. The Dean of Guernsey has “quasi-episcopal, archidiaconal and decanal responsibilities”. He is an ex-officio member of the States of Deliberation, Guernsey’s parliament, but without a vote.

The Deanery includes 16 churches in Guernsey, Alderney and Sark, with around 20 clergy. Archdeacon Trick’s appointment is the latest in a series of recent changes in the Diocese of Derby. In January, Bishop Libby Lane left on sick leave, and in May, Bishop Jackie Searle came out of retirement to become part-time acting Bishop of Derby.

Quick links

• Hugo Walford, Bates, Wells: Faith-based charities and regulatory engagement: prevention and response: the article notes that “Faith-based charities can sometimes find themselves slightly more at risk of regulatory action than other charities. This is because faith-based charities often undertake activities, work with partners or make grants in ‘high-risk’ areas, such as warzones or countries with corruption issues or weaker financial controls” [or[ … “have spiritual leaders, or individuals who occupy a delivery role that comes with remuneration or other benefits”.

And finally…

On removing a Banksy mural painted on a wall at the Royal Courts of Justice: according to the Guardian:

An English judge? With a gavel?????????