Gertrudepie I'm not at all trying to undermine the ethos of the school; I think the majority of the school ethos are positive and encourage a productive learning environment. I am trying to determine whether the school is within its right to insist that my DS participate in the residential school trip.
tripecity there is nothing wrong in being different. I've always encouraged my DC that they should not be ashamed of having a different opinion, choice or lifestyle than the crowd and should not feel that they have to do something just because everyone else is doing it or because they feel pressured into doing it for fear of being different. If he is not harming anyone, not disrupting anyone, not making a statement that is offensive then why should he stop taking a corner and taking 10 mins of his break to pray at school just because others will feel he is different.
My older DC have also, always prayed at school and the school has been accommodating. Teachers and other students have joined in and they have never been made to feel they are different becasue of it.
And just to be clear, I'm not 'transferring my thoughts onto him' at all. You've insisted that I stop telling him a number of things, well rest assured I'm not doing any of that anyway. Please stop jumping to conclusions and imaging conversations about what I have and haven't said to my son.
CoffeeTea and others, I didn't know about the no-opt out policy. I did ring the school a few days after his admission was confirmed to ask if we could come in and discuss the school policies and rules and I was told that I would have a chance to do that later on as part of the induction process. This happened two days ago. I know I could have been more persistent and asked more question early on but unfortunately I didn't realise the school would have such trips and policies so I didn't. I can't change what I haven't already done so I'm only looking to see how I can work best with the school from this point onwards.
We have considered changing schools, but our first choice was not available anyway and it would mean appealing to secure a place in another school which would take a few months at least. The LEA has told me appeal dates will most likely be in September.
Hakluyt yes, it is a residential camping trip to the Lake District. Its for Year 7's (11 year olds).
When we heard about the residential, I did not initially say anything to my DS as I was still musing over the 'compulsory' part. But he himself expressed he was very anxious not to be forced to go. I have tried to suggest that it may be beneficial for him, bearing in mind that if it does turn out to be absolutely compulsory I will have to talk him into it. We only learnt about it two days ago and I want him to decide for himself what he wants before I let him onto what I am thinking.
I'm all for participation, but I am not one to force my Dc into going away should they not want to . Yes, if it was an educational trip and I felt it was essential to his learning, I would encourage him. But I feel that children should also have an element of choice in these matters. I have, in the past, allowed my DC to opt out of family holidays and family outings if they did not want to go. We have a lot of family outings and I understand that at times, children don't always want to go along so they are free to stay with grandparents who are more than happy to have them to themselves and spoil them when the family is away.
We have, as a family, been to the Lake District a number of times. We've camped, barbecued, taken boat rides, been on walks etc etc. It's not as though he will be missing out on experiencing these things.
pointy, you guessed right; it is a 'my way or highway' free school. The head actually said that to us as soon as I brought up the subject of praying during his break. He first response was 'If you don't like the way we do things here, then maybe you should go to another school.'.