To change DS school in yr R

[sian05]

My DS is in yr R and although he has made friends and is doing well and generally happy it's a CofE school and he is really struggling with the religious aspect.

An example is when doing the Easter story he was in floods of tears at bedtime as he was upset about seeing a picture of Jesus on the cross and thinking about what had happened to him. Since going back this week he hasn't settled at bedtime as he keeps thinking about 'worship' time because he said it makes him feel sad and scares him.

I was torn between this and another school initially - my main reasons for choosing it in the end were because it was in walking distance and was our catchment school and as I have a DD starting Sept 19 I was worried she wouldn't get into the other school. I also really liked the headteacher but she left at Christmas. I guess I didn't consider the religious aspect enough as I went to a CofE school which I loved and never really worried about it

I really don't know what to do - my son has said he would like to go to another school but then that he doesn't want to leave his friends. Do you think the religious aspect is something I could deal with better - I'm not religious and am finding it hard to reassure him as if I say they are stories some people believe he tells me that they really happened and starts to get upset again.

Please be gentle I was awake all last night feeling like a crap mum that I made the wrong choice for him. Thanks

My dc go to a non religious school but were still learning about Jesus on the cross etc. Something to bear in mind. They also learn about many myths and legends. My daughter was terrified over the baby eating dog one recently, and all the activities for a whole term were based around it.

Thank you.
I know he will still be taught this in other schools but it seems that since the new head has taken over the religious side has become a bigger part of the day to day running of the school. One of my reasons for choosing the school was good parent feedback but some of the things they enthused about have changed already.
There are other things making me think about moving -the other school is bigger and although a smaller school seemed right at the time I’m now thinking that it would be better for him to have a bigger peer group. It does also have better facilities and to be honest I did really like the feel of it. The more I think about it the more I am convinced I made the wrong choice. As I said in my OP though a big factor in my decision was worrying whether my DD would get in to the same school as I’m sure she will get into his current one but if I move him she may not get in the new school.
I’m not too worried about how he will react to a new school as I think if we are going to do it it will be better as this age than later and he seems quite open to the idea of going to another school. But then if he doesn’t get on I’ll just be kicking myself again! ARGH – parenting is hard!

I think he is at an age when he will be very black and white and take things literally. I agree the easter thing would probably happen in any school as they will all cover the easter story and it's pretty gory really.

My dc go to a non religious school and me and Dh are atheist but my eldest got very religious in reception as he took all the stories literally and thought god must be real if they're being taught about it.

I would try to manage the whole religious thing better with him and assume he will understand faith and belief vs truth better as he gets older. I wouldn't want to move schools if it will cause problems in the future with your dd getting in the same school.

But then again I would personally feel quite uncomfortable with my dc being in a religious school!!

Your dd would be likely to get into whatever school your ds is in due to the sibling rule wouldn’t she? It sounds like you have pretty much decided to move him. My ds moved schools in the Easter term of reception and it was fine, no issues. However have you discussed your concerns with the school or taken your son to look round the new school?

I spoke to his teacher before Easter about how upset he had been about the picture so she was aware if any other images were shown.

I will speak to her again and phone the other school to see if we can visit with our son before I make a definite decision - posting here is helping me to think it out a bit more!

In the other school siblings out of catchment come 5th in line (siblings in catchment and children in catchment have priority) so when I asked this question on the visit they said they couldn't guarantee it.