I had a catholic education, some would say very catholic education and home life. I am not sure about my primary school but there were a good few non Catholics in my high school, the only thing that set them apart was that they didn't have to go to mass if they didn't want to. Some chose to come occasionally, others never, didn't make a jot of difference to them socially.
Both my schools were in very deprived areas, my primary school was in one of the most deprived areas in the country at the time (an example of the area is that I was considered to be posh and rich because my parents were married and lived together, my Father worked and we owned our home, I was a real oddity), there were two other primary school close by, both community schools. Our school had the best results and also the best behaviour, it was a school community that respected it's self and the wider community.
My high school was in a different part of the city, still deprived but not to the same level, again it was the best preforming school in the area and the best record for behaviour.
I really do object to this:
^seeker Sat 18-Jun-11 17:32:43
If you're prepared to see your children being taught complete crap about sex, AIDS, contraception, the developing world, the role of women and a variety of other topics then go ahead.^
I don't know where you get your ideas about a Catholic education from but my very Catholic education did not teach even close to anything like you are suggesting, your statement is completely at odds with everything I was taught at school. I can't remember exact ages when I knew this from but I do know that when I left catholic schooling at 16 I knew all about contraception options, about the dangers of AIDS and how it was a STD that everybody is vulnerable to (ie: Not just the Gay community etc), I had a very good knowledge of the politics and issues in the developing world, no where at any time was anything like missionary's ever spoken about apart from as something that some people choose to do that can have a very dark side to it. I went to a mixed school, woman were as valued as men, the role of woman was projected as the same as a man, what ever you want to be you can be if you put the work, time and effort in.
Now I know that my experiences will not be the same as others and there will always be good and bad Catholic schools just like there are community schools but this idea that Catholic schools exist only to indoctrinate children into a church that can't shift it's self from the middle ages is just rediculous and I find it very offensive.
I am no longer a practising Catholic, I decided while I was still at school that I had to many problems with organised worship and the way it could lead people. I made this decision at school with the wide, varied and open information I was given access to explore by them. They welcomed questions, the celebrated others beliefs, basically the strongest, furthest reaching and most lasting thing that my Catholic education gave me was a deap respect for my fellow human regardless of race, religion or any other difference that can exist.
Sorry to go off on a rant OP, I know this isn't what to were looking for, I do think that as long as the school ethos is one that feels right to you and for your children it doesn't matter if it is a Catholic school or not. You will have the option of withdrawing from mass if you want to I would think (you would at state but not 100% with private) but even if they do attend mass it is not a massive deal, it teaches tolerance and understanding. Yes the religious education will have a strong focus on Christianity but my experience was also of learning about a wide range of other Faiths. I know you are on primary level now but if you are looking to take it all the way through RE will be a compulsory subject at GCSE.
Above all else it is the ethos and feel of the school that is most important and if it is a good fit for your family.
