The Government is not proposing to regulate institutions teaching children for a short period every week, such as Sunday schools or the Scouts. The proposal will also not apply to one-off residential activities, such as a week-long summer camp. It is looking specifically at places where children receive intensive education out of schools, where they could be spending more than six to eight hours a week.
The proposals are all about making sure that where there are concerns raised by parents and others about issues of extremism, child cruelty or inappropriate teaching in unregulated settings, government can take action to protect children and empower parents. As the Prime Minister made clear in his Party Conference speech last year, such concerns have been raised, including around extremism in some Madrassas.
The Government has no intention of seeking to regulate religion or to interfere in parents' right to teach children about their faith and heritage. Protecting religious liberty is a fundamental principle. For example, Sunday schools will not be under any requirement to teach non-Christian values.
The Government is working closely with the Church of England and other faith communities to ensure that the system is targeted, proportionate and focuses on those settings which are failing to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Those discussions have been productive, and Ministers have made clear the focus is on establishments that are preaching hatred or putting children at risk.
It is not extremist to oppose same-sex marriage, and the Government's counter-extremism work is emphatically not intended to cover legitimate debate on such issues. All schools are now expected to "actively promote" British values, which were defined in 2011 as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Teaching respect for other people, even if you do not agree with them or their way of life, is a fundamental part of preparation for life in Britain, and a principle all schools should be able to support.
No teacher is expected or required to promote lifestyles that they do not agree with. Equally, it would be unlawful for any teacher to discriminate, harass or victimise someone in contravention of the law.
The conduct of inspectors is the responsibility of Ofsted. If a school is concerned about either an inspector's conduct, or that an inspection is not being carried out in accordance with Ofsted's guidance, it should follow the formal process for raising this.