The majority of those who do not see themselves as Christians reject the idea that church schools create divisions between different sections of society, a major survey released on Monday has found.
Six out of ten non-Christians who feel that church schools are different from other state schools also believe that church schools give places to children of all backgrounds, and two-thirds of the same group agrees that Church of England schools provide a broad and balanced education, the findings show.
The survey of more than 1,000 adults across the UK shows church schools to be positively regarded by people of all faiths and none for the ethos they promote within the learning environment.
Of those who agree that church schools are different to other state schools, eight in ten (80 per cent) agree that church schools help young people develop a sense of right and wrong.
The survey also found that 76 per cent think that church schools help young people grow into responsible members of society, another 76 per cent agree that they promote good behaviour and positive attitudes, and 78 per cent agree they have a caring approach to students.
The findings demonstrate that church schools are understood to be distinctive - 45 per cent of those surveyed agree that Church of England schools have clear differences from other state schools. As a key part of this distinctive nature, 78 per cent of these respondents see church schools as having a close relationship with their local church.
In a significant development for those who question the role of collective worship in schools, almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of those who agree that church schools are different said they think that students benefit from attending Christian worship in church schools - and four in ten (40 per cent) non-Christians agree.
The survey also presents a challenge to the Church to explain more clearly how church schools approach the teaching of religious studies.
More than a third (35 per cent) of respondents who agree that church schools are different to other schools said they thought such schools "try and force their own opinions on children rather than giving a balanced view of other religions or ideas" and that church schools promote "narrow religious teaching".
