To think that parents should have a say in how often religious leaders lead assembly in a community school

[ReallyTired]

I naively thought I had chosen a community school. Yet my daughter is having an assembly once a week with a church of england vicar. I am not an atheist and I really do not want to withdraw her from RE and assemblies, but I feel once a week is excessive for a community school. You might want to ask why I object to a vicar coming every week when I attend church, but his take on theology is different from mine. I want to be in complete control of my daughter's religious upbringing/ indoctrination.

I feel angry by the sly way it has been done. I know that there is a legal requirement for christian worship, but weekly visits is indocrination. Its more often than we go to a different church. My daughter's school is one third muslim and they are essentially having a christian religious service once a week. The new head never told anyone that she was going have the vicar every week. Why does the govenment do nothing about "Christian" trojan horses? My daughter's school is more religious than any of the church schools I attended.

I want schools to be clear in their prospectus how much religion there is. I feel its wrong that a new head can unilaterally make a community school more religious than a church school without telling/ consulting the parents. I feel its an abuse of power to make a community school ultra religious.

how any people get married in a Christian church or have their kids baptised in one, or have a Christian funeral? How many go to a memorial service, Remembrance service, stuff like that. I think a lot. many may not go to sunday services but I think would classify themselves as Christian.

how any people get married in a Christian church or have their kids baptised in one, or have a Christian funeral? How many go to a memorial service, Remembrance service, stuff like that.

and they should be free to do so. but they shouldn't have a special platform to preach to my kids.

Anyone can get married or baptised or have a funeral in a c of e church. All you have to do is live in the parish. There is zero requirement to be a Christian.

It's one thing for people to CHOOSE to attend church. It's another thing to have a priest leading worship without the parents knowing. It's the sly aspect that upsets me.

but why would you get married in a Christian church where you are making vows to God or baptise your children into the Christian faith at Church if you are not a Christian?

As I said, it's not even just a weekly assembly I'm facing. My 4 year old is led in prayer 3 times a day by her TEACHER. No child has ever been excluded from assembly at the school. They don't know what they would do with her if we chose to withdraw. And it's not an easy once a day - it's THROUGHOUT the day. Really boils my piss.

My only options are to have her singled out as "different" which may have long lasting impact for her, or homeschool. How the fuck is that right? If that's what we wanted we'd have sent her to a church school!

(Makes note to meet with headteacher about this AGAIN)

"but why would you get married in a Christian church where you are making vows to God or baptise your children into the Christian faith at Church if you are not a Christian?"

Please tell me you're not that naive?

For the pretty pictures!

does the School say on its website or in its brochure that worship is lead there?

I think given the law, the head teacher is within her rights, but I agree with you (and anyway the law is crap on this one). Something slightly similar is happening at ds's school and I dislike as you say how easily this can change when you think you've picked a school that is genuinely not about a particular religious allegiance.

suggest some people just do it for cultural reasons. Weddings - because they like the traditional aspect, baptism - to get child into a faith school, to suit extended family, for the 'naming ceremony' etc.
My next door neighbour had both her children baptised but blatantly admitted that she didn't believe in God (nor did her husband). She just wanted an excuse for a big family party.

disappointed that really is out of order. Surely prayers outside of assembly isn't allowed? I'm afraid I would be taking that further.
Not to mention, I wouldn't be doing the politically correct thing either, regarding what I told my child.

Disappointed It should be clear on the School's website, brochure what its policy on worship is ie how often, when , where etc. if not, then yes, speak to the Headteacher regarding this

suggested, there is no requirement for a school to state its policy on worship because it's a government requirement of all state schools. Not sure about the rules for academies.

First we knew was at the welcome session for new parents with the head at in mid July. He said "we are a Christian school. If you want to remove your children from assembly that is your right."

It was only when I asked DD's teacher, who we had never met before that point, what they would do with DD that we discovered the truth. I spoke with the head who seemed to be unaware. But as DD has started coming home and singing songs with hands together I suspect he has done nothing about it.