“This is a disturbing ruling. Established practice in our schools, at the instruction of Colton J, is now being discarded, not by those elected to make such decisions, but by the judiciary. One wonders with the rapid creep of our courts into every aspect of Government policy, whether we ought to consider electing judges and doing away with MPs, MLAs and Councillors.

Over the last twenty-four hours many local principals, teachers and parents have been in touch to express their strong opposition to this ruling. No school forces a Christian ethos on any pupil – opt-out is available from all Christian teachings or practices. This is an unnecessarily radical ruling.

I have raised my concerns with the Education Minister and would support her in any appeal against this ruling.”