Emails obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal the Church of Scientology made enquiries in an attempt to force schools to teach Scientology in Sussex as part of the Religious Studies curriculum.
The emails reveal County Councillor Richard Burrett was approached by a Church of Scientology representative, understood to be Director of Special Affairs Graeme Wilson, at an event in January 2023, who asked how Scientology could be included as a member of the West Sussex Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE).
“On the evening of Saturday 28 January I attended the Crawley Mayor’s Civic Ball, and while I was there a man who […] approached me to say that he was a representative of the Church of Scientology (who are based in East Grinstead) and that another councillor he had been speaking to that evening had told him that I was the Chairman of the West Sussex SACRE.”
“He told me that he was keen to become a member of SACRE and asked what the process was. I explained that decisions on which groups could or could not have representation on SACRE were laid down in the relevant legislation, and that he would need to contact the County Council to make a formal application for membership, which he said that he would do, but having seen the date of his e-mail below it appears that he had already written to you at the point at which he spoke to me.”
According to the West Sussex Council website, the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education advises the Council “on all matters related to collective worship and religious education (RE) in community, voluntary controlled, trust schools and foundation schools without a religious character.” It meets three times a year and is required by law to produce a review of the Local Education Authority’s ‘Agreed Syllabus’ every five years, which influences the way in which religions can be taught in schools across Sussex.
It consists of representatives of the major faiths, teachers, trade union representatives and local Councillors. Scientology’s application for inclusion states “West Sussex has the largest concentration of members of our religion in the country, and a proportionate number of children in local schools.” However census data suggests there are only 398 Scientologists living in the area, with an additional 402 in neighbouring Wealden.
2021 Census Response Data: ‘Other Religion – Scientology’
(West Sussex Local Authority Districts)Mid Sussex – 368
Crawley- 10
Horsham – 9
Chichester – 0
Adur – 3
Arun – 4
Worthing – 4
Scientology were advised an email requesting to be included on the committee was not sufficient and a formal application would be required. An email sent by a Council representative asked the controversial group to provide further details:
“We invite you to submit a formal request in writing (email is fine) which should address the following:
- Explain the governance of the organisation – where authority sits for taking decisions about how the Church should be represented through other organisations and confirmation of how this nomination has arisen
- Be supported by information about the place and role the church has in the community of West Sussex and its role in particular with regard to education and young people in the area.
- Explain the reasons for seeking membership of SACRE.”
To which Scientology responded saying they “will now compile and submit a formal request in writing, as directed,” although it is understood this never materialised.
Although SACRE is required to ensure local religious groups are adequately represented (and therefore taught) in local schools, it is unclear whether Scientology has a substantial enough following to meet the criteria for membership. With a population of 882,700 at the last census, Scientologists make up less than 0.05% of residents in West Sussex, despite Scientology claiming to have “millions” of adherents globally.
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