This article from the Guardian has me a little worried. They quote schools standards minister Jacqui Smith as saying

Creationism is one of many differing beliefs which pupils might discuss and consider, perhaps when they learn about another aspect of science: ‘ways in which scientific work may be affected by the contexts in which it takes place… and how these contexts may affect whether or not ideas are accepted

The only source for this is ‘a parliamentary answer’, but the only relevant discussion I can find in the record is (Hansard, 27 Feb. 06)

Neither creationism nor intelligent design is taught as a subject in schools. The national curriculum programme of study for science at key stage 4 covers evolution. It sets out that pupils should be taught “that the fossil record is evidence for evolution” and also “how variation and selection may lead to evolution or extinction”. Pupils should however be taught about “how scientific controversies can arise from different ways of interpreting empirical evidence”. Also, the biblical view of creation can be taught in RE lessons, where pupils are taught to consider opposing theories and come to their own, reasoned conclusions. Therefore, although creationism and intelligent design are not part of the national curriculum, they could be covered in these contexts.

That latter statement is, frankly, a lot more reassuring. So until we can unearth the statement for the Guardian’s report, it seems that at least the minister is on top of things. Actually, I don’t have too much of a problem with the first statement as long as it’s made clear that creationism is to be used as an example of a non-scientific approach to explaining the world around us.

More astronomy soon, I promise!