How do you find out whether creationism is taught in a primary school? or given as much credence as evolution?

[Enid]

because it will irritate me if dd1s C of E prmary does this

[juuule]

Ask the school?

[BrownSuga]

wouldn't you expect a religious school to teach creationism?

[Lilymaid]

You could also check with the diocesan education department. I don't think creationism is a strong force in the C of E nowadays although it is amongst evangelicals.

[fryalot]

I think you should ask the school.

[nailpolish]

Does it really matter

[Enid]

brownsuga no I wouldn't

its not yet on the curriculum as far as I know

[Enid]

yes it does to me nailpolish

and before you all start in on me, its a village school and there are no local schools that are NOT C of E so I have no choice

[lucy5]

I would assume that a religious school would but in this day and age I am sure they would look at other angles

[geekgrrl]

is it not? Because our state primary taught it and I wasn't best pleased when seeing the displays...

[Ladymuck]

If it is a state school then they would teach the Nat. Cur. which would exclude this I would have thought?

[inanidealworld]

I have no idea but I think you should pretty much expect that they would to some degree given it is a C.of E School.

[geekgrrl]

it was taught as part of RE at our community primary...

[nailpolish]

so you only want dds to be taught christianity

i am completely athiest but i find all religions interesting

[oliveoil]

my parents are religious and I remember watching David Attenborough and my dad huffing when he was talking about a lizard evolving or whatever

and apparently dinosaurs do not exist

but I turned out ok

I wouldn't worry, we had er 'interesting' discussions instead, great fun as a stroppy teen

[NotQuiteCockney]

From what I know from DS1's C of E (independent) school, they cover creationism (well, the creation story) as part of RE, but evolution as part of science. I'm quite sure creationism doesn't leak over into the science bit, iyswim.

I know because I asked, when we met the headmaster. DH was .

[Ladymuck]

Teaching the creation story within RE is not the same as teachign creationism within the science curriculum though!

Yes I would be worried about any Cof E school which did not teach about the Creation story within RE. But likewise it shouldn't be part of the science or history curriculum (and I would expect dinosaurs to be covered for example).

[nailpolish]

RE involves all (or at least some) other religions

is it just creationism that bothers you or other religions too

[liquidclocks]

Speaking as a Christian I think it matters too Enid, I would ask them what they teach. I'd also ask them what they teach about Christianity and the sort of language they will use.

My children are likely to go to a church school and while I'm happy for them to do this I don't want them being told at school, that Christianity is the 'only' way IYSWIM. DH is a Buddhist and I'm not having them coming home worried because Daddy isn't 'saved' IYSWIM. I go to Church with them but I'm always there and will be able to discuss what they hear with them - I won't have that luxury with school.

[Enid]

no I dont particuarly want my kids to learn that any religion is fact

oo that is reassuring

I have already wondered why they never do a dinosaurs topic

oh well I can enliven my dds education by telling them the truth at home

[liquidclocks]

Sorry my english is appaling this am

[Enid]

yes sorry

I dont mind them learning it during RE (and would hope and expect that they would learn about otehr religions, 'live' ones not jstu the Egyptions )

its during the science curriculum I object strongly to

[oliveoil]

what is fab is when my mum and dad come round and Harry and his Bucket of Dinosaurs is on

heheheheheheheheheehehehehhehe

oooh look Dino land Dad!

[nailpolish]

yes i can see the difference there Enid

maybe it depends on the teacher but im sure it will be mentioned

not til at least S1 possibly?

[nailpolish]

im just so glad we dont have these silly churchy schools round my way

[PeachyChocolateEClair]

They have to learn christianity and one other religion, but our school gets away with this by teaching Judaism and then just talking about the Old testament, seem to skip all the festivals etc .

And the creationism leaks over to the science bit (Yr1 teacher told ds2 that Mummy was wrong when i told him about evolution! [shock}).

My school however is insane. (and I am in the same position as Enid, C of E school only one in catchement, plus ours largely funded by some old chaps will that specifies faith content / an evangelical Church that controls it).

Drives round the bend, it does. have offered to go in and do workshops but flatly refused, and I know dfor a fact that the head of Re did a course similar to mine (albeit with a wider teaching emphasis) so has done Hinduism and all the big six in detial.

But as the head of REligion (and RE B-Ed) says, our head is

I quote

'a nutter'.



Seriously enid, ask. Or you could find yourself with a confused child who cant work out if Mummy or teacher is right.