The Independent Schools (Employment of Teachers in Schools with a Religious Character) Regulations 2003
These Regulations insert two new sections in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. The new sections enable independent schools which have a religious character to give preference in employment matters to teachers whose religious beliefs are in accordance with the religious tenets on which the school is based. These amendments are similar to provisions found at sections 60 and 69 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 which permit those maintained schools which are voluntary aided schools and have been designated as having a religious character by order under section 69(3) of the Act to give preference in employment matters to teachers whose religious beliefs are in accordance with the religious tenets on which the school is based. These amendments are related to the implementation of Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27th November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment (OJ L 303, 2.12.2000, p.16) and in particular to Article 4(2) of that Directive.