School trips to Christian centres - Freedom of information requests
Title or Description
School trips to Christian centres
FOI Number
20250649
Date Received
19/05/2025
Type of Request
FOI
Request or Question
I am making a Freedom of Information Request to look at the use of Christian residential centres by local authority schools in the Scottish Borders. I have become aware that Selkirk High School are sending a group of students to Whithaugh Park in Newcastleton, which is a Christian outdoor activity centre and a member of the Evangelical Alliance. Rock UK, the company, state "Rock UK is a Christian charity and there is an Occupational Requirement that our Instructors are Christians who are committed to the values, beliefs and behaviours set out in our ethos statement." In addition, Rock UK accommodation is strictly segregated by "Girls and Boys" making no allowance for non-binary students. Please let me know: 1) Which schools in the Scottish Borders have used Rock UK facilities in the past, and which are planning to do so in the future.
2) What information is provided to students and parents regarding the evangelical Christian ethos of Rock UK to allow them to make a choice on attending.
3) What alternative, non-Christian activities and trips are provided for those students who are not Christian.
4) What accommodations are made for students who are non-binary on Rock UK trips.
Response
1. Attached
2) Parents can access the website.
3) This is not relevant to the choice of provider for residential activities. No school will be offering a ‘Christian’ residential and a ‘non-Christian’. There are no religious activities during the residential, the focus is on outdoor learning and the outdoor activities that the young people participate.
4) Non-binary pupils are asked who they wish to share a cabin with (just like other pupils) and could have their own room. Following the recent Supreme Court judgement, all providers are awaiting final guidance on how to enact the judgement.
