Move to add pagan school advisors

The pagan community in Cornwall has asked to join an advisory body that works with local authorities on religious education.

The request was considered by the county council's Children, Young People and Families Service committee on Thursday, ahead of a cabinet meeting.

Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Baha'i faiths are currently on the body.

The committee referred the decision to the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (Sacre).

Sacre was asked to consider the request in detail and come back with its views ahead of a follow-up meeting.

Sacre, which is made up of religious traditions, local authorities and teaching associations, looks at what should be taught in schools in the fields of faith and belief.

A report prepared for the committee noted councillors have three options: include paganism on the body, or not, or consider a co-option of a pagan onto Sacre to advise on issues relating to paganism and pagan pupils in Cornwall schools.

The decision will rest on whether paganism constitutes a "religious tradition" as envisaged in the 1988 Education reform Act.