does the racial/social mix in a school matter?

[Haveabanana]

Does anyone have any experience of their child attending a school where they are very much in a racial/social minority? If so, how did it work out?

Apologies if this reads bluntly- don't want to go round the houses, but don't want to offend anyone either. My son will be going to a primary school in September, where he will very much be in the minority, and I would hate to see him struggle and feel unable to fit in. The majority (75-80%) of pupils are Muslim, whereas we aren't, and have a shared language which they use at home, which we do not. But does that matter?Have been in a few times, and the pupils are perfectly friendly, school has good Ofsted etc. So maybe I am worrying about nothing???

Any experience much appreciated

[Galena]

I went to a school with a mix like that and it was fine. In fact, we had so many opportunities for enrichment because we celebrated Christmas, Diwali, etc and it meant a lot more to us and everyone was accepted regardless of their faith.

I've also taught at a predominantly white school and was amazed at some of the bigoted attitudes towards people of other faiths.

[ByTheSea]

There was a program on a few months back about children starting secondary school in Birmingham. One of the children profiled had been the only non-Muslim in his year at his primary school and was going off to a more diverse secondary school. He seemed to have had a nice primary school experience.

[Haveabanana]

Hi Galena
Many thanks for this, very encouraging. I think I need to have a bit of faith and see how we go. Thanks again

[Haveabanana]

Hi Bythe

I think I caught part of the same documentary, too. Think we will give it our best shot and see how we go. many thanks

[triskaidekaphile]

My white atheist children went first to a community school with predominately Bangladeshi/Pakistani and Muslim children and then onto another school where the majority of children were Black and Christian. They had good experiences at both schools. :)