London, England - Members of the National Union of Teachers are to call for an end to state funding for faith schools at its annual conference later this month.
Britain's largest teachers' union warned today that religious fundamentalists were gaining control of state schools and imposing their "narrow" beliefs on children.
The NUT said some private business figures now running English schools had too much influence over lessons.
Proposals in the education bill, published last month, could give faith groups a much bigger role in the running of state schools.
The NUT's general secretary, Steve Sinnott, said many teachers were concerned that this would lead to ethnic segregation.
"There is enormous concern around the country," he told reporters in London.
Many teachers are worried about the influence "some groups who have views on religion outside the mainstream, sometimes characterised as fundamentalist, could have upon our education system".
"There is a view that the promotion of greater influence of faith groups in running our schools could be detrimental to community cohesion and social cohesion and could promote ethnic segregation," he said. Delegates are scheduled to debate the issue of faith schools at the NUT's annual conference in Torquay on Easter Sunday.
Their motion calls for "a long-term phased programme of ending state funding to faith schools".
"All such schools should be given government encouragement and support for moving back to full integration within the state sector."
The motion demands "an immediate halt to new government funded faith schools".
It will also call for new laws to prevent the teaching of "creationism or intelligent design as a valid alternative to evolution" in science lessons.
A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills defended faith schools.
"We have a long tradition of faith schools in this country," he said.
"They are popular with parents and make an important contribution to community cohesion by promoting inclusion and developing partnerships with schools of other faiths, and with non-faith schools.
"Leaders from the Church of England, Hindu, Sikh, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist faiths only recently underlined their commitment to ensure that faith schools teach pupils about other religions as well as their own."