Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Non religious school

80 replies

Chickenkeev · 01/08/2023 18:22

My daughter is going into 6th class next year ( apologies, i don't know the British equivalent, but it's the last year before secondary). I'm lost as to whether i should hold out for the non religious secondary school which is the other side of the city, or just send her to one over this side that is religious. We went above and beyond to get her to non catholic primaries so it seems crap to throw that away but equally it wouldn't be great to foist a long commute on her. Help please!

OP posts:
LIZS · 01/08/2023 19:14

It would be unusual to have only two in a city. Is there no local community (non faith) option? Are you likely, based on previous years, to get a place at the distant school - you can look at past years' allocations for your Local Authority and the criteria for each school which are often include children with Additional Needs/Looked After, Faith where relevant, siblings, distance. So being some way away is likely to mean your child is lower down the admissions order and may not be offered a place.

Original poster
Chickenkeev · 01/08/2023 19:13

Marblessolveeverything · 01/08/2023 19:05

At secondary I would go with a choice that is close and hopefully has some familiar faces. Teens and early morning commutes are not a great mix in my experience.

Family of Educate together kids here and we only just got a school open before my eldest reached secondary so very fortunate.

His friends who went elsewhere were fine. Very little religious study mostly societal topics. Concentrated on respectful of all and nonreligious.

ET here too. And i want to stay that way. But it's so far away for secondary that it's not fair on herself for my ideology. BUT my mam lives near the school, so theoretically she could drop in there for lunch or whatever.

OP posts:
Original poster
Chickenkeev · 01/08/2023 19:06

FloofCloud · 01/08/2023 18:56

I guess it depends on why you don't want her there. Also don't forget it may be an upheaval if she's got a friend/group of friends, where are they going.

I personally don't like religion at school other than theory, worship has no place in school

Been through the religious stuff myself and i really want to avoid it if at all possible. Also my school was shite, great for posh kids. Eff the rest of us. I really don't want her feeling less than that way iyswim.

OP posts:
Marblessolveeverything · 01/08/2023 19:05

At secondary I would go with a choice that is close and hopefully has some familiar faces. Teens and early morning commutes are not a great mix in my experience.

Family of Educate together kids here and we only just got a school open before my eldest reached secondary so very fortunate.

His friends who went elsewhere were fine. Very little religious study mostly societal topics. Concentrated on respectful of all and nonreligious.

FloofCloud · 01/08/2023 18:56

I guess it depends on why you don't want her there. Also don't forget it may be an upheaval if she's got a friend/group of friends, where are they going.

I personally don't like religion at school other than theory, worship has no place in school