Catholic Primary School

[mabelandivy]

We need to start considering which local primary school we wish to send out DD to later this year.

We are very fortunate and 3 out of the 4 schools within our town are good schools. The one that isn't a good school isn't within our catchment area and we are are the opposite side of town.

So, one of the schools which is literally a stones throw away is a 2 form entry - good reputation. Another one is 3 form entry and most parents select these two as their first choices and get them. We also have a Catholic school in town.

DH is a Catholic and when we were discussing schools he said we really should consider it. We have had DD Baptised and I know we would get a place at the school based on the fact that she is a Catholic. I, however, am not a Catholic. Reading up over the weekend, the Catholic school is a 1 form entry and last years intake only had 22 children in the class. It's also got the best results out of all of the local schools and in the top 5 within our County. This is obviously very appealing.

Whilst I know I have to visit the schools and find the right fit, has anybody else here sent their children to a faith school when they're not religious?

My concerns are that given it's a 1 form entry, DD isn't going to forge as many friendships, the feeder secondary is about 40 minutes away but she would also have the option to attend the High School, which is currently Ofsted Outstanding.

I know it's difficult to answer the question, but what are people's experiences of faith schools generally? Secondly, if you were presented with a faith school being the best performing one would you go for it?

I am Catholic and DC are baptised, DH is atheist. The nearest primary school to us is Catholic and is apparently rated one of the best primary schools in the city, the next nearest was in special measures when we were looking at primary schools for DC1. I didn’t specifically want DC to go to Catholic school, I wanted them to go to a good school that we could walk to because I can’t drive. DH and I went to look round it and he agreed that it was the best school locally and the Catholic ethos did not seem too extreme so DC go there. I think there has been times that he has been irritated by the religious aspect of it and what he sees as indoctrination, but we have always agreed that he can explain to DC that he doesn’t believe that and why and they will decide for themselves. It might depend on the school though and how strong the Catholic aspects of it are. Our school has only about 50% Catholic pupils, so it might be different in schools which are 100% Catholic.

Our two go to a Catholic school as it is our nearest and the only one with places. Me and DH are both atheists and would have preferred not use a religious school. The religious stuff isn't too full on, yes they say prayers etc but the kids know that we don't believe and that it is their choice but they need to respect others views. There are about 25% non Catholics there and a huge number of those that are don't practice regularly.

I went to a Catholic prep school and was not a Catholic. It was lovely, I enjoyed my time there and wish I could have stayed until I was 18! The religious aspect of the school was not particularly relevant to me though there was a certain gentleness about the place which I missed when I left aged 11. It achieved very good academic results too, only one child (bless her heart), failed the 11+ in our year; I realise not all areas do 11+ and mention that only to illustrate how good the school was.

We had 28 children to a class on average. 22 sounds even better!

My kids went to catholic primary. I’m non practicing catholic. Dad is a complete non believer. We chose the school as it is the best primary in the area. Low class numbers some years as many parents think you have to be catholic to apply. School happily included children of all faiths and non. My kids were so shocked when I could recite the Hail Mary etc as they hadn’t realised I was catholic up until that point! Yes there’s religion every day but at home we countered it by saying some people believe x,y and Z. Some people don’t. You treat everyone with respect.

My children are at a Catholic primary and we love it. DH is Catholic, but the main reason we liked the school was that it was small (one form entry, alternative was 4 form entry) and all through, rather than infants and juniors. There is a real sense of community in the school and the local church. It is not too in your face Catholic and they have covered other religions as well.

Eldest is not going to the Catholic secondary but that is because there is a school that fits better for him.

Mina are at a CPS. They love it. As PP said there is a real sense of community, a mixed group of children from all walks of life, it's great
They will go to the Catholic secondary school too with the rest of their friends I expect

My decision would also depend on the wider society within which you are living. Is your family based in an area which divides itself on sectarian grounds and would a faith based school influence your children’s thinking in this regard?

I'm a non believer and both DS's went to Catholic school as it was the best for them

All other schools had a big two form entry, DS's about 15. At one point there were 95 pupils

I went to a Catholic primary and secondary school. We’re atheist Jews. It was fine, I don’t recall a great deal of religion beyond the twice daily prayers (which I was excused from) and the time taken up for practicing stuff for taking first communion or confirmation (which I also sat in the library during.) I suppose you’d need to think about whether you’d want your child participating in that, if you aren’t religious.

I’m not sure whether Catholic schools are still permitted to teach the same things as twenty years ago when I attended, but personally I’d not want my child being exposed to some of the messaging surrounding sex and relationships, LGBT issues and ethics. I turned out alright, but several classmates ended up really quite conflicted about things, even those who didn’t come from particularly religious families: if a teacher you look up to and respect is telling you that something is wrong then it must be quite difficult to deal with as a young person. I’d suspect that’s less of an issue at primary school than secondary though.

My DD is at a Catholic Primary. I’m Catholic, DH is atheist but our children are baptised.
It’s a fantastic 1 form entry school, no friendship issues, DD plays with 5 others or sometimes they split off into smaller 2s/3s. The children and families are lovely. Great community feel, DD is very encouraged and supported and they have great wraparound and pastoral care.
DDs school also teaches spanish from FS2, and the children can all choose between piano, violin or guitar lessons from Y3 and the children are all encouraged to join a sports team.