Non Denominational AC's in Church Schools

I was brought up Catholic, as the majority people in Ireland are, and went to a convent school, as all but one private school, were catholic. I pretty much had no choice and had religion rammed down my throat until I left home and was free to choose for myself.

When I adopted DD's, I did look at two Catholic schools for them, but found them quite oppressive and controlling. I went to the open days and had the parent's tour and the general feeling I got as I walked around was of "quiet control". I then visited my local community school, which incidently backs onto my garden, but I deliberately left this visit until last, as I wanted to be open minded about which school I found best for my DD's.

Well the difference was massive. You could see it in the childrens faces and behaviour. They were all smiling and happy, polite, engaged in their lessons and it was lovely to see. There was every race, creed and culture there and although the schools ethos was broadly christian, they are not affiliated to any particular religion and welcome everyone. It was just the feeling I got there. Everyone from the HT down to the children were friendly and happy and that's what I wanted for my girls. Also as my DD's are mixed race, I didn't want them to be the only non white children and in the Catholic schools, out of 30 kids in a class, there might be one black child, one mixed child and maybe one oriental child, but the majority were white which was not what I wanted for my children.

I was extremely luck in my choices, as I live in an area of Britain with some of the best schools in the country. Even my 3rd choice would still be an outstanding school, so I know I was spoiled for choice, unlike some, but I went with my instincts and chose the school where I thought my girls would feel most comfortable.

I don't think they would have coped in a very controlling environment with no leeway for individuality, where the would have to conform and sit through religious services and assemblies with prayers at the beginning of every lesson. That was my choice and I think everyone should chose what they are comfortable with. I loved when DD's use to come home and talk about their visit to the Mosque/church or wherever. I felt they were being exposed to all sorts of religions and views and feel that they are more tolerant to other peoples views/religions/cultures as a result.

Think my DD summed it up in her last year there when she said "thank you Mum for choosing the best school ever!" They loved every minute of their schooling and always wanted to go to school. A happy child will learn where ever they are. 

   

It totally depends on the school. Starlet is at a c of e school - I am christened but not at all religious. However, her school is amazing! It's small, friendly, welcoming and uses the Christian morals to create a lovely family ethos, with the emphasis on everyone belonging and being kind to each other.

They sing hymns in their whole school assembly and go to church for the big Christian occasions but that's about it really. They certainly don't ram the religion down the children's throats at all. Also the school benefits from extra funding from the church - none of the classes are bigger than 22 and all of them have at least half a teaching assistant as well.

Contrast that to the local village school who were not interested in accommodating her until they found our about pupil premium plus...

Personally I think you should just go with how the school feels rather than if it's religious or not :-)

for me, from your original post, the question would be what is it that makes you uncomfortable about this school, and go from there.  why would you send a child to a school that makes you uncomfortable? if it was a secular school that you felt uncomfortable about you'd just move onto another to visit and try again.  some schools ar ebetter for some children than for others and that goes for secular and faith schools alike.  find a school where you and the child are comfortable and that can meet the individual needs of that specific child.

Hi loadstofbubs, nothing about the school makes me nervous... It's lovely v small and nurturing, just the sort of environment she has been thriving in, in nursery.

It was more because it's so small it's v hard to get into, in our area the three best schools are C of E, I didn't know if we would be resented for not being christian but jumping to the head of the queue school wise...

Was wondering what religious parents who had chosen faith schools for their children felt about children like mine, I don't want the monkeys to be subtlety discriminated against

I would hazard a guess that the majority of children in C of E schools do not have parents who have any particular belief in God. I think this would probably be different for other faith schools - not for any reason other than many C of E schools were set up in the 50s and 60s when churches were more involved in the local community and it has stayed that way because there is no particular reason to change.

All schools have to teach about different religions, all schools have to have 'an act of daily collective worship' - even if they are non faith schools (it can be lighting a candle and having 'thinking' time about a moral story they have just heard rather than a religious 'worship').

Most primary schools in my area are C of E so my boys attend a church school despite me being an atheist. I wouldn't think the Head or any of the staff would know my religious views (or care about them to be honest) and certainly none of the other parents do; it's just not discussed, it's not a concern. The school instill Christian values and morals but not in an overtly religious way. The only thing I have noticed that is different from non faith schools I have worked in is that they say a prayer before eating at lunch time - but I know that not all church schools even do that.

Church schools should have the local minister on their Governing Body and they should take an active role in school life. In reality, they maybe come in and lead one assembly each month, host Christmas carol services and maybe get involved at Easter. I am happy for my children to take part in these activities despite my own views as I feel they have the right to make their own choices about religion - and I'd be no good at teaching them about it myself!

I certainly have never even thought about feeling guilty that my children are in a C of E school; I just want the best school for them and their needs - I hope you find the right school for your children.

GSH

I was referring to my school days back in the 60's and 70's . I wasn't implying that this still happens these days. I did say it was just my own personal experience. And from the amount of revelations coming out daily about Catholic schools back then, it was a completely different climate.

Hopefully we've moved on from those oppressive days.  

My nearest school is C of E and it was one of the reasons we didn't send ds there, although I will probably admit that had it been the best school for ds in all other ways then I may have gone with it.

We chose a non faith school, but.... Once ds started there I found out they do have prayers in assembly. I was actually a bit put out as it had never been mentioned, but decided it was probably a good way to open discussions on religion. So, even if you do choose non faith, religion can still play a part.

And I don't moan when they celebrate Xmas and Easter!!

Think it's just the Catholic schools that have an "attending church" rule.

In our area because of competition to get in,you have to start attending church because on the application form you have to put a passport sized photo of your child on the form and this form is sent to your local parish priest to ask if he has seen/knows this child, as part of your application, ie do they attend.

This is why a lot of parents start taking their children to church a year or so before applying to get into the school so that they are "known to" the priest. I personally chose not to do this as I would have felt like a complete hypocrite, just dragging my children along so that they got in to the school. I decided not to do this, as being broadly christian, I felt lying is not a good example to set for my children.

Have had no regrets as my DD's love the community schools I have chosen for them, both of which were beyond outstanding. As I said it is personal choice and I chose not to go down the religious school route.