School cleared of promoting creationism

A Welsh school has been cleared by an investigation over claims it was promoting Christian creationism over other religions and non-religious beliefs.

The National Secular Society (NSS) called for an investigation back in 2024 over wall displays at Llanidloes High School in Powys. The displays, which it claims were large enough to cover the entire wall and were paid for by school funds, contained pictures of marine life, continents and the solar system. Alongside the imagery the displays contained Biblical texts such as “great are the works of the Lord,” “God created the creatures of the sea,” and “From one man God made all the nations”.

The NSS accused the school’s headteacher, Daniel Owen, of promoting creationism. Mr Owen is an elder at an evangelical church in Newtown who has oversight of their work with children and young people.

The NSS also want a ban on teaching creationism in Welsh schools, saying "it undermines teaching about evidence-based theories such as evolution".

After a thorough examination by Powys Council and Governing Body of the Llanidloes Schools' Federation it was found that the school was “operating fully within the relevant legislation and Welsh government guidance“ and no evidence was found to support the NSS’ claims.

The council found “no evidence of evangelisation or inappropriate promotion of Christianity” at the school and that creationism was not taught in science lessons. The school's collective worship arrangements, and their delivery of the Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) curriculum, all complied with Welsh government requirements and no further action by the council was required.

Headteacher Daniel Owen said the school “offers a broad and balanced curriculum” and added: “We will continue to educate children about Wales' rich Christian and cultural heritage alongside a wide range of beliefs and values, as part of our commitment to inclusivity and respect.”