In the third part of her series on teaching, Supply Teacher and former Chair of Voice looks at the differences between teaching in faith and non-faith schools.

In preparing to write this article, memories returned of my first teaching post as an RE teacher. On entering the staffroom I heard, "I didn't know we were getting another religious teacher". Why are some people against religious education teaching? Could this be a 'religious-phobia' or something else?

There was continual debate in the 80s about RE teaching. Was it indoctrination or not? Should children in the UK know about the importance and significance of England's religious history? Of the martyrs, the misrepresentation of religions, or Christianity's fantastic role in the abolition of slavery.

The Greeks claim that man is a tripartite being of body, soul and spirit. The UK focuses on the body (physical aspects) and soul (thoughts and feeling), and often ignore the spirit (awe and wonder). This is where assemblies and faith schools step in.

The actress, Danniella Westbrook described her recent brush with faith at 37 years old "It really has changed my life, I mean nobody in my life had ever told me about Jesus, ever. I've never picked up a bible, I've never owned a bible. I've always believed in God, but no-one had ever spoken to me about Jesus before,… It's just changed the way we think, the way we treat people. We try and live our life on a daily basis and I'm so thankful to it."

How is it possible for a person to be educated in the British education system and know nothing of the bible or the other major religions?

I have found differences between faith and non-faith schools. The atmosphere is different. The expectations may be the same but the ethos is different. There is such ignorance about faith. A person's religious belief is not determined by the country of birth. Faith transcends geographical boundaries. Many people claim to have a particular faith and actually know nothing about its history, precepts or standards. The majority of our young people have no knowledge of The Ten Commandments, so we should not be surprised by their actions. Young people are often given contradictory messages and this has led them to believe they can do what they want. There is no emphasis on self-control or contentment. Commercialisation is rife but this could be tempered with the positive expectations in faith schools to value spirituality.

I need to make it clear that just because a person goes to a faith school does not mean they have that faith, and vice versa. The teaching of faith is to lead the individual to see there is more to life and that they are not the 'centre of the universe'. Egos are dealt a blow. The "me" culture is kicked to the kerb.

In a faith school the expectation is not 'every man for himself'. It is about acknowledging and developing the tripartite person. While non-faith schools may overly focus on the child, in a faith school the primary focus is on the faith through which the child is seen, and therefore as a society we all need to know what each faith actually believes.

Many non-faith schools do not have a religious assembly thereby denying children of their full religious educational entitlement.

There seems to be a discouragement to debate and discuss religious thought because of the fear of prosecution. This lack of debate may result in indoctrination in some quarters. I love debates but it is so frustrating when discussing issues with those who have no knowledge of what they claim to be debating. They have not studied it. It feels as if religious opinions and beliefs are been driven underground and faith schools are seen as pariahs. Knowledge is power and ignorance, (religious or otherwise) is a hindrance for any nation.

If you have missed the rest of Nardia Foster's series, click on links below:

• Supply Teaching: expectations
• Supply Teaching: getting your life back