Schools 'Must Teach Britain Is Christian'

Nicky Morgan also said non-religious beliefs need not be given "equal parity" with religious beliefs.

Under the new Department for Education guidelines, non-faith schools have to reflect the fact that British religious traditions "are in the main Christian" while taking into account teaching about other religions.

Her comments come after David Cameron used his Christmas message to stress Britain was a Christian country in what was widely viewed as his most religious address to date.

She was moving to clarify the situation following a High Court ruling last month which found the Government had unlawfully excluded non-religious views from the curriculum.

Mrs Morgan said: "This Government is determined to protect schools' freedom to set their own religious studies curriculum, in line with the wishes of parents and the local community.

"The guidance I have issued today makes absolutely clear that the recent judicial review will have no impact on what is currently being taught in religious education.

"I am clear that both faith and non-faith schools are completely entitled to prioritise the teaching of religion and faith over non-religious world views if they wish."

Mrs Morgan is understood to have been concerned that humanists were using the court ruling to pressure schools into giving non-religious views more prominence.

A source close to Mrs Morgan said: "Nicky has had enough of campaign groups using the courts to try and force the teaching of atheism and humanism to kids against parent's wishes.

"That's why she's taking a stand to protect the right of schools to prioritise the teaching of Christianity and other major religions."

An influential report from the Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life released last month found Britain was no longer a Christian country.

It pointed to a decline in the number of people attending church services and the rise of Islam.

British Humanist Association chief executive Andrew Copson said: "All the usual contemporary justifications for the teaching about religions in schools ... logically also apply to the teaching of humanism.

"The High Court ruling in this matter has implications for the school curriculum at all ages and further guidance is urgently needed to bring practice into line with the law."

Rev Nigel Genders, chief education officer for the Church of England said: "There has been confusion about the implications of the High Court judgment and we welcome the publication of this guidance note which clarifies the situation and provides assurance that the judgement does not impact on the content of the new RS GCSE."