A BISHOP has hit back at critics of church schools, saying they have a tradition of being inclusive rather than exclusive.

The Bishop of Knaresborough, the Right Reverend Frank Weston, said the term "faith schools" misleadingly implied an exclusive approach to education.

"But our Anglican tradition is an inclusive one, welcoming all children from the community, regardless of their background," he said responding to church school critics in the Ripon and Leeds Diocesan March newsletter.

The Ripon and Leeds Diocese operate High Schools in Leeds, Harrogate and Richmond and maintain strong links with church-controlled schools in the diocese.