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Original poster

To go to church to broaden my childs choice of school

187 replies

AwkwardAadvark · 01/09/2024 16:42

Hello
I live in an area where the comprehensive schools aren't great. There's only 1 I'd be happy for him to go too. We also live by 2 religious schools that I'd be happy with. Issue is these schools require church attendance. It's a while off but I do worry about these things. Do I start going to church to widen his choice of school?

OP posts:
the80sweregreat · 01/09/2024 16:50

Lots of parents do this. I've known a few and the church attendance dies off after year 7 as the children are established by then.
Of course it's not good for those who have always gone to church and actively support them, but I'm sure the church schools are well aware of who is trying it on a bit and who is genuine! You may need to look into it a lot more ( as detailed in this thread) and what the criteria is. It must involve a lot of commitment.

Mountainpika · 01/09/2024 16:50

I have no religious beliefs so would feel it hypoccritical to go to church and pretend I was a devout Christian.
Mind you, I think all schools should be secular anyway. If parents want a religious education, then that should be done by the child attending separate classes run by the church out of school hours.

FloofPaws · 01/09/2024 16:50

The whole religion and school thing doesn't sit well with me at all, schools should be teaching religious theory only, not as fact - it's a way to indoctrinate children to not think for themselves ... what's the likelihood of your child getting into the 1 school you do like?

Muchtoomuchtodo · 01/09/2024 16:50

Are you sure your dc’s admission to these schools depends on your attendance at church? Not theirs? Not being Christened/ Baptised?

seems odd to me

TickingAlongNicely · 01/09/2024 16:49

Check the criteria first. Its no point if you need to be at feeder school or have been christened or if there is no faith criteria.

Otherwise... its your choice.

x2boys · 01/09/2024 16:48

Check the criteria your child might Need to baptised
I mean you certainly won't be the first to suddenly find " God" to get your child into a better school.

BalmyLemons · 01/09/2024 16:47

I wouldn't want to but I see no harm in it.

SnugCoralFinch · 01/09/2024 16:47

If you want to waste your life by sitting through church stuff, sure 🤷‍♀️😂

Alwaystired23 · 01/09/2024 16:47

Well, I know people do go to church to get their children into better schools. I doubt you'll be alone in thinking and doing this. Are you religious at all?

Commonsense22 · 01/09/2024 16:46

Are you happy for him to receive faith-based assemblies and lessons while there? If so, there's nothing wrong with going to church provided you're going with an open mind.

I'd say it would be dishonest and counterproductive to go simply to get a place but then ask for your child to opt out of every RE lesson and assembly etc

Original poster
AwkwardAadvark · 01/09/2024 16:45

Well I'm not religious at all so it seems a bit odd to me!

OP posts:
Jjiillkkf · 01/09/2024 16:44

I don't really understand what you need to ask us for

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