The Church of England is planning a major expansion of its schools over the next five years.

The Church says it will bid to open 125 of the 500 new free schools promised by the government by 2020 in a "bold and ambitious vision for education".

A report to Church leaders describes the free schools programme as a "unique opportunity" to enhance its contribution to education.

But the British Humanist Association said the plan was "counterproductive".

The Church of England is already the largest single provider of schools and academies in England, educating about a million pupils in 4,700 schools.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-36763962