SCHOOLS are failing in their obligation to educate children in the core beliefs of Christianity, an Ofsted report has revealed.

Inspectors found a sharp decline in the quality of religious education teaching, especially in secondary schools, over the last three years.

There is an “urgent need” to review the way the subject is supported, the report says.

Inspectors found the experience of pupils “engaged in Christian practice” was often ignored.

“This sometimes contrasted sharply with the more careful attention paid to experiences of pupils from other religious traditions,” Ofsted said.

Lynn Foster at The House of Destiny Church in Bournemouth agreed with Ofsted’s conclusions. “I remember assemblies when I was young when we were taught truth and values from the Bible. This is not happening any more, particularly in middle and secondary schools. “Not educating our children in the core beliefs of Christianity has resulted in the mess we have in society today. There is so much help and guidance in Scripture. “Society says, ‘Look after yourself’ and Scripture says ‘Love others as you love yourself’.”

Lynn added: “We need to be open to other people’s faiths, but as a Christian I believe that Christian values are important.”

Sue Stroud of Poole, a mum of two girls (aged 10 and 11), was happy with the religious education provided at their primary school. But she decided to “home school” them two years ago when they were about to go up to middle school.

“I was worried what my children were going to be taught in Middle School,” she said.

Tariq Palmer, the Muslim member of the local faiths committee with the Standing Advisory Committee on RE in Schools (SACRE), regularly visits local schools.

He said: “The Labour government could not make their minds up as to precisely where RE fits into the curriculum.

“Ed Balls was adamant that Darwinism should have a dominant part to play. “They effectively destroyed RE at secondary level – particularly with the ‘opt out’ concept. “Fortunately, there is an appetite for RE at the primary level and it is wonderful for me to experience the pupils’ enthusiasm.

“Labour was more interested in the secular side of life and foisted upon SACRE the ‘humanist’ representation. “We need to expose children to the major religions of the world and the Torah, Bible and Holy Qur’an spell out how we should behave to each other. “The Ten Commandments are still as valid today as they were centuries ago, and if our children are taught them and live by them, humanity may survive.”