Bishop Gilpin parents - And you call yourselves Christians?? (MERTON SCHOOLS)

[NutellaWithEverything]

Name changed because I need to rant about my DS not having been offered a school place and don't want to be outed. I am in Wimbledon and my nearest school in Bishop Gilpin. My DS has not been accepted to start in Reception this September coming even though it takes us three minutes to get there. Yet, they take in children from the other side of Wimbledon even though they have to drive through town to get there. And why?? Because they go to the right churches. So last November there was a request from the Council to add another Reception class but parents voted against other children from their own community benefiting from attending a good school. They felt it would be in the detriment of their school's community feel!!!!! AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO THINKS THIS IS SELFISH, SHORT-SIGHTED, UN-GODLY AND JUST PLAIN WRONG?????????????????

I am posting this link mumsnet from the Humanist organisation and they have a lot of good things to say about education and faith schools, they say it much better than I could.

I also feel so strongly about this issue. I think it's terrible that schools can discriminate on basis of faith. It would be like a non faith schools discriminating against all religious people. Luckily we live in an area with a wealth of non faith schools so very happy about that.

Okay right going to post link correctly:
Humanist Education Policy

I DO blame parents who "play the game " and participate in hypocrisy to enable their children get into good schools, and to ensure the ability of the Church to fill their churches with anxious parents.
Those of you who do this can justify it all you want, but you are simply collaborating in an unequal and unfair system.
As long as you and your own are ok, right? Nice.

Northern I do get what you're saying. I don't think I would hesitate at all to stand up for what I believe is morally right, if it was me who would take the brunt of those actions. I just think it's a whole lot more difficult when it's your children will feel the impact.

I also think 'well, I was christened, attended Sunday school and sung hymns in assembly. I still grew up as a non believer'!

northernrock - I so agree with you. Where we used to live there were only 2 secular schools near by and a plethora of catholic and church schools. Every parent was so anxious to get their child into this particular C of E school because it was supposedly the best. I know one mum who went to C of E on a Sunday and the husband went to catholic, 'to cover all the bases'. Suddenly people were converting to catholicism, starting to attend church etc etc...it just seems so ludicrous that this system is still relevant and active in these times. Isn't it time to change the system?

So BG were allowed to say that they didn't want to continue with 3 form entry whereas Wimbledon Chase had no choice and had the decision forced upon them? Just as it appears that Dundonald are being forced to go to 2 form entry. Is it a coincidence that the latter 2 are community schools?

A friend has just informed me that The Priory will be taking a bulge reception class this year. I am in the waiting list so I'm hopeful... I did love the school when I visited and I have several friends with children there who are truly delighted with the school. So fingers crossed...

just had a chat with a woman who didn't get her child into BG despite her older child attending school (not 6. year) and the child in question attending BG nursery AND just living 150m away!

Wimbledonian, are you sure that's right about Wimbledon Chase and Dundonald? I thought that all schools had the right to say no and that it depended on a consultation process involving the school board, teachers, parents, community etc. Holy Trinity and St Marys (both faith schools) have also expanded recently. I don't think it has anything to do with whether a school is a faith school or not but you could prove me wrong.

Nutella, I've heard very good things about Priory. They got a new head in the last few years and she has apparently really improved it. It also has lovely grounds (bigger than HT) and, I've heard, great after-school clubs, music etc. Crossing fingers for you that your DC gets in.

Stillstanding you're right about your 1st point

Thank you for your kind words. I'm still a little out of catchment for the Priory but it did give me a good vibe when I visited and friends have commented on excellent teachers...

There was no real choice at WC as far as I know. Rather a "we will do this regardless" from the Council and it was better for the school to cave in and at least have some say in the design of the new building etc. The governors were against the plan from the start and most of the parents agreed (all of this comes from a friend with 3 children at WC)

I find it bizzare that on mn many many people will say that x & y are 'non british' ie people who want to dress or present a way that is 'non british' or say yabu because 'why didn't see your dh was of a different culture etc.' - yet many many will defend their 'right' to send their kids to faith schools and I guess that's what the majority of people on here regard as british culture.

I don't at all see this big move into faith education as part of british culture - I would say our education policies are doing a fine job in breaking up communities - geographical ones at least.

I know this thread has being going a long time. It has beeen brought to my rattention, so here is a quick response. I am a parent to two children at BG both in key stage 2.

1. We didn't do cello or fencing classes this Saturday morning!.

1. I am on the group Friends of Bishop Gilpin and was on it when the three form entry was discussed. Their was serious review of options, including getting and reviewing financial papers, under the FOI act from Merton Council. Lots of us parents, did a through review of options as did all the Governors of the School. Space was a big issue and Wimbledon Park School was more able to take over the extra pupils.

1. As a parent, I feel all I write, including big political debates on facebook should be able to be read and understood by my children. Debate telling people to F off, would be immediately pulled by groups on facebook and I dont understand why it wasn't here. We also dont use the F word in our house or to our children. I accept others may have a different view.

1. We all know the legislation re religious hatred. We may dislike religious people, its best to write however "though I don't agree with your views I think......". If we term the discussion academic, we can make more personal attacks on people.

1. From my personal understanding I think we have a brilliant teaching team at BG. Mr Ball the headmaster is right on the "bal" l LOL. I think all parents who children go, (religious or not) are pleased we are 12th in the primary school league table.

Just because you don't go to church doesn't mean that you are a non-believer.

If you like "LOL" and dislike "fuck" you are on the wrong site. Off you toddle back to CBeeBees.

o p, you are being unreasonable. the churches were there to go to. you knew the system. if you didn't go, you threw away your ds's opportunity. no-one else, just you.

Zombie thread.

sour grapes, end of.

I was of the impression that faith schools weren't funded in the same way that 'mainstream' state schools were, which is why they are allowed to have different admissions criteria?

They get 90% of the funding non faith schools get. It used to be 50% which I was sort of OK with, but I really object to the taxpayer funding faith schools.