To not go to the school's church service?

[37jonsialex]

Bit of a pickle!
I was aware that they were having a Christmas service, it's a C of E school, so expected it, but a news letter was sent home today saying that all of the children are expected to be there. It's in two days.
It wasn't compulsory to attend last year and i think two days notice is a bit short.
The church is at least a half hour walk from our house, and the service is at 6.30, so it'll be dark and chilly (we don't currently have a car).
We're also not Christians (i know i know, why did we send our son to a C of E... it was the only one with places in our town, we have a heck of a mission getting there every day), so normally wouldn't attend a church service anyway.
I wouldn't mind if he was in the choir or had a part in it actual service, but no, he just has to attend.
Would i be unreasonable to not go? More to the point, could it get marked against his attendance record?

Lordy me! I would have expected them to do it in school time and as a parent be invited but not expected to go.

Don't think it could be held against attendance out of school hours. Sounds like absolute pain for you. Does your son want to go?

I can't imagine that it would go on his attendance record. All DCs church 'things' at school are done during school time!

If you don't want to go, don't go.

As the service is outside school hours, he shouldn't get a mark against his attendance record. I very much doubt that anyone will be ticking children off as they walk through the door.

NO! They absolutely cannot insist.

The school can not insist you do any given activity during the evening. Outside of school time it is entirely up to you, and you are in no way obliged to go. There is no "record" of attendance for such events, the official attendance record covers the morning and afternoon sessions of normal school time.
In your shoes I wouldn't go either, especially if it is massively inconvenient to you and you are not a church goer anyway.
Most church schools take the children to an end of term service during school hours. If your son really wants to go you should make the effort for him to be able to take part, but otherwise don't bother.

It's outside of school hours, on an evening, in winter, you will find it hard to get there and you are not a christian. In your shoes I wouldn't go.

He doesn't really want to go, so i don't think we will. Thanks! Thought i was going to get slated for being a Christmas troll!