Hospitality to the 'Other' in Faith-Based Schools

The ancient ethic of ‘hospitality’, becomes ever more compelling in the current climate in UK society. Increasing numbers of immigrants seeking refuge and, more recently, the terrorist attacks on London in July 2005, have fuelled the ongoing debate about faith-based schools in the UK. These events in turn have highlighted the alleged role played by faith schools in keeping different ethnic communities separate. While there have been a number of recent studies of hospitality (Bretherton 2006, Duncan 2005), none has considered the subject in light of faith-based schooling and the effects of religion, culture and belief on educational practice. I have adopted a dual approach to the cultural study of hospitality to the ‘other’ in faith-based schools. The project begins with a conceptual analysis, drawing on both established educational policy literature as well as a range of theological and philosophical studies of the concept of hospitality. Central to the work is the second part of the project that implemented an empirical study, investigating the ways in which different faith-based schools (Christian, Jewish, Muslim) in different UK locations (inner city, suburban and rural) are or are not hospitable to otherness, which offers a new contribution to knowledge about the welcome of ‘others’ in faith-based schools. The thesis is divided into seven chapters. The first four chapters examine critically the renewal of interest in philosophical and theological approaches to hospitality and questions the place of hospitality in contemporary education. Chapter six analyses hospitality in faith-based and secular schools, discussing both in light of the evidence produced from the empirical study. Finally I complete my research with conclusions and policy recommendations.