to consider sending DC to a Catholic school although I'm an atheist?

[YoniSingWhenYoureWinning]

but its exam results are streets ahead of any other school in the area! So good that I think I could let Jesus into my life in spite of not believing in Him...

[bearleftmonkeyright]

Some years ago I know, I do remember being told in sex education by our non catholic teacher that he was not allowed to discuss homosexuality, masturbation or contraception. We all then had an open class discussion about what we knew with no inference from our teacher. I am so glad my year 6 daughter is going to a non catholic secondary school, armed with all the facts about sex from her primary. I think this is such an important part of a childs education and needs to be done correctly.

[MothershipG]

YANBU And you (none of us) should not be put in a position where this is an issue.

However depending on where you live and the pressure on places you may find it a lot harder than you imagine to get you DC in.

My neighbour got one son into a highly sort out after RC secondary school, his younger brother was refused aplace because he had not been baptised before he was 6 months old. And this is a genuinely RC family that are not just playing the game.

[DefiniteMaybe]

I'm an atheist and my son goes to a catholic school. I chose it because all 4 schools within walking distance are rubbish, including the catholic school, and it's the closest. We got in despite being in the 8th and final admission category.

[Eyesunderarock]

Makes you wonder why the results at most catholic schools are so much better than the rest though.
If they are selecting on faith and not on IQ, then is it that the average catholic is cleverer than the rest? The difference is significant enough to have a bearing on parental decisions, so why is it the case?
Our local catholic primary is the most ethnically diverse of the dozen.

[Toadinthehole]

noblegiraffe

My two non-RC daughters attend an RC primary school here in NZ. I keep a sharp eye out for bonkers stuff, and am happy to say I haven't encountered any.

[curlew]

The single most important factor in a child's primary education is parental involvement. If you have to jump through a hoop to get into a school, regardless of what the hoop is, the results will be better, because only parents who are committed to their child's education will go to the trouble of jumping through the hoop.

It's only over subscribed faith schools that have better results.

[Toadinthehole]

Eyesunderarock

Another NZ comment: it is generally accepted that RC schools in these parts outperform state schools with similar demographic make-up.

Why is this? Not sure, but I will say that the discipline at my daughters' school is very good, without being at all strict. There is very little nonsense in the playground or in class. Also, most parents will have deliberately chosen that school over the (normally nearer) state alternative, so they are possibly self-selecting to a degree.

[Eyesunderarock]

Thank you. I've never understood the ranting about 'They do better because they are selective' when the selection criteria doesn't involve academic performance.

[hackmum]

Eyes: "Makes you wonder why the results at most catholic schools are so much better than the rest though."

But they're not. People often say this but without the evidence to back it up.

Anyway, I don't see why the OP would burn in hell. I'd have thought the church would be pleased to have a child from a non-believing family they could indoctrinate into the faith.

[bearleftmonkeyright]

You can have ethnically diverse catholic school. You can have gay children in a catholic school. But do not expect a catholic school to celebrate Ramadan. Lent will be observed though. No they do not monitor when your child went to confession. But there will be school mass on holy days of obligation. Do not think you can send your child to a catholic school and it ignore Catholicism when it suits you. It will not happen.

[Toadinthehole]

Perhaps they're not into indoctrination,hackmum.

[Twattybollocks]

If you are going to be upfront about it and just apply without going to church etc on the off chance that they get a place (my local catholic was undersubscribed and we got in quite easily) and you don't mind your child listening to sermons, attending mass and being taught Christian principles then yanbu.
If you are going to tell massive porkies about your faith, and go to church etc for the sole purpose of getting them into the school then yabu. Nothing wrong with not believing in God, that's your prerogative. Nothing wrong with wanting your child to have the best education you can provide them with.
Lying about it? Everything wrong with that I'm afraid.

[VikingVagine]

We're atheists and both our DCs go to a private catholic school (we're in France). Homosexuality just isn't discussed so it's been an issue so far. The only issue I have is that I have to tell my children not to believe everything their teachers say! DS (11yo) is old enough to sort out belief from fact, it might be trickier with DD as she's not yet 4yo.

[VikingVagine]

Oh and when we went to interview for a place they didn't ask about our faith, we just said that we held Christian values.

[Debsndan]

Curlew "The single most important factor in a child's primary education is parental involvement. If you have to jump through a hoop to get into a school, regardless of what the hoop is, the results will be better, because only parents who are committed to their child's education will go to the trouble of jumping through the hoop."

^^ This.

Our local RC school is the only one for miles, the catchment is huge and people travel long distances to get there. If the parents are willing to do this AND meet the stringent faith selection criteria AND support the local church then they're probably fairly committed to their child's education from day one.

[LittleFrieda]

Classy.

[Naebother]

Yabu but you know that.

What if they start to really believe?
What about the devout child you are depriving of a place?
Be prepared too that most parents will know each other from church. You'd better be an Oscar worthy actress.

[mrsjay]

there is nothing wrong with sending a child to a school that you want BUT please dont come here moaning about it being to catholic our RC dont expect children to be christened will this school expect it, and how would you feel about morning mass etc, I know a few non catholics who sent their dc to the high school and they are exoected to go to mass,

[QuintessentialOldDear]

Not sure what is worse, being a hypocrite, immoral ( think a life in deception to secure a school place from a child of a true catholic family, is immoral), or an atheist. Your choice obviously.

Are you also going to join mass 3-4 times per year with the other families? Support harvest festival? What about year 3, when the class start preparing for their first holy communion, what will you do then? Come clean, or let your child prepare for a ritual where he takes the flesh and blood of Christ? Commune with a God you dont believe in?
You want to do that to your child with a clear conscience?

Will you partake in all religious aspects of school life, iron Church linen, help with the annual Church fair, make a friend of Father, and sigh your child up as an alter server, as the game to secure a secondary RC school place is a long and committed one...

[bearleftmonkeyright]

Would you convert to Judaism or become Muslim to secure a childs place at an equally outstanding faith school? I really don't get sending a child to a faith school if you don't believe at all in the faith.

[Llareggub]

My DCs are at a Catholic school. We moved here and I had to find a place for my year 1 child. The only one that had a space was the catholic school. There was no discussion of our beliefs and my 2 children are now happily settled there.

It is a lovely, diverse school with a real family feel. The staff are very welcoming and they all know the names of my children after only 5 months. It feels very different to our old school. My children get a bus to school and the parents make an effort to meet up once a term for social events. We also meet up at weekends.

I am not a Catholic but I would describe myself as a Christian. I haven't been asked to iron linen or go to church.

[mrsjay]

OP R C will get priority over non Catholic children I think that is how it works ?

[JakeBullet]

RC will get priority but in my son's Catholic school around 60% of children are not Catholic which I think makes for a healthy mix, they DO get good results but no more so than other schools in the area.

Personally speaking I think it is madness that parents have to jump through hoops like this for what is a right for all children - a decent education.

[Eyesunderarock]

If there are places, anyone will get in, however there is usually quite fierce competition for catholic secondaries. This is the admissions policy (edited) for our local one for dealing with waiting lists.
Oversubscription Criteria
Pupils with Statements of Special Educational Needs where the school is named on the Statement, the governors
will offer places using the following criteria in the order stated:

1. ?Looked after, or previously looked after? Catholic children. Evidence of baptism will be required
   
2. Baptised Catholic children who are enrolled at the time of application in one of the named Catholic deanery primary schools Evidence of baptism will be required
   
3. Baptised Catholic children who are not enrolled at the time of application in one of the named Catholic deanery primary schools. Evidence of baptism will be required
   
4. Children who are under instruction in the Catholic faith. Evidence that such instruction is in progress provided by the priest responsible for the instruction programme will be required. A letter of confirmation from the priest should be attached
   
5. Other ?Looked after, or previously looked after? children
   
6. Other children who will have a sibling attending the school in the School in September 2014
   
7. Other children who are enrolled at the time of application in one of the named Catholic deanery primary schools.
   
8. Children of other Christian denominations whose parents attend a church which belongs to a
   

?Churches Together? organisation and where the Priest, Vicar, Minister or recognised Pastor has signed the Priests section on the Supplementary Information Form.

1. Any other children.
   

Fairly comprehensive, and standard for other catholic secondaries who have waiting lists.

[curlew]

"If there are places, anyone will get in"

And the results will not be any better than any other school in the catchment.