To consider a Catholic primary school?

[MrsMuffins]

DH and I are not religious, however our nearest primary is Catholic and Outstanding. It also has space, so we would probably get in regardless of the fact that we don’t attend church. However, we would have some concerns - things like the amount of religion in the curriculum, how they teach sex ed and relationships, attitudes (amongst staff and parents) towards LGBTQ issues, etc. Would this be an issue? Would we feel part of the school community as non-churchgoers?

If you have issues with Catholicism being taught at a Catholic primary school then it’s not the school for you.

No you are not catholic so do not send your child to a catholic school regardless of its ofstead report.

As a slightly longer answer - some catholic schools are more catholic than others. My children are at a catholic primary school. They pray 4 times a day (start, before lunch, after lunch and end of the day) go to church a lot, lots of liturgy, lots of RE.

Sex Ed hasn’t come up yet.

Why would you even consider it when you have an issue with the entire foundation of the school’s teaching?

Our nearest school is an outstanding Catholic school. I wouldn't even entertain the idea as I do not want Catholicism being taught to any of my children.

If it's a good school, I'd say go for it. Chances are, they'd have a look at other religions as well in RE, if only briefly. I think schools have to do some form of sex education but if you did feel it was inadequate then you'd be free to tell your DC about it yourself. With regards to LGBTQ, I don't think they'd be allowed to teach it as wrong but there's a chance it may not be looked at at all.

I guess I’m wondering how Catholic it would be really They have a very inclusive ethos and are fantastic at social, moral, cultural development - so I was wondering how much the Church influences this?

My kids go to Catholic school.

We are atheists.

They respect the beliefs but they know its bullshit in reality.
We don't attend any out of school church events.
We discuss what's said in school and apply rationality and science to it.

IMO its worth the ofstead outstanding rating versus the non religious schools that don't even make the good standard.

I went to Catholic schools in the 90s and early 00s. I can't speak for them all, but it was fine, I was content, bully asides, that said I wouldn't choose to send my child to one as an Atheist, or any other faith school. There will be religion woven into every aspect of school life. We constantly had mass, hymns and prayers. We didn't receive sex education other than learning about periods. The only time we had any other form of sex education was in biology class when learning about reproduction and anatomy. I don't recall LGBT issues being discussed at all. You can't really expect the school to go against the beliefs of the church in regards to that or contraception.

From what you've said I think that it wouldn't suit your family at all.

@Frogstaring that was kind of my thinking - they teach about all religions, and I like the attitude they have to caring and kindness. And I did wonder if they are ‘allowed’ to be openly anti-LGBTQ, but honestly it would be a massive issue for me if it wasn’t discussed at all.

@Ohfuxx do you still feel part of the school community by not attending any church events? Am worried about not having any parent friends!

I went to a Catholic primary school, same as my father went to. My mum wasn't religious at all and tbh neither was my father but this school was known for being a good one. I remember praying, singing hymns and being taught about god and Jesus etc But not over the top, assembly was every Friday and father John would be there, we would sing and pray. We would say a prayer at the end of the day and after lunch.
Now I don't believe any of it. I'm not religious in anyway, But I like to think I am intelligent... a little?

I went to a Catholic secondary school in London and it was - and still is- girls only. It has a good Ofsted rating but many of the pupils might attend if their parents prefer them to go to single sex schools.

Most schools attract pupils from wider faith groups anyway, even in my day we learnt about other religions as part of our wider education. Why not speak to the school and ask their policies. Where I lived there was little space in the Catholic primary which people fought to get their dcs into as the PTA was very active and provided many out of school activities.

FWIW, I went to Catholic school but in a class of 30, I think only 2 kids believed in God. We prayed 3 times a day (half heartedly) had church once a term and probably did more RE than most other schools. As the RE wasn't taught as absolute fact, it was actually quite useful. I went to an Anglican secondary school but the majority of kids were Baptist, Methodist, Evangelist, Pentecostal etc. Many were diehard creationists but almost none of them went to religious primaries. In short, when it comes to religion, what you teach them at home will most likely be far more impactful.

My DS' Catholic primary did do 5 prayers per day, and a mass once a term but they taught RE the same way other non religious schools did. Sex Ed in year 6 was similar to what I remember from my primary school, and the parents hot to sit through the lesson first.

If it's s good school I'd consider it, but you have to accept that religion will be a fairly big part of the day.

As for caring and kindness there's no difference in that respect between Catholic schools and other schools. I was severely bullied in all three schools. Their ethos made not a jot of difference.

And I think it's likely that they'll avoid discussing LGBTQ issues. I remember one classmate mentioning it in RE and how uncomfortable our teacher was when he did. He stopped that conversation quickly.

I attended all catholic schools. Primary schools we had our prayers, morning prayers, angelus, and evening prayers. We had a choir that everyone had to take part in. We had Christmas mass and end of year mass. We would sing for the kids making first communion and confirmation and had a good relationship with the priest who would visit us regularly in school. Sex Ed never came up in primary school, but we did have religion on the curriculum. I will send my kids to catholic schools.

My DCs go to a Catholic primary school and are taught about other religions. I'm not sure if LGBTQ issues or sexual relationships (apart from the very basics) are discussed at any primary schools? Happy to be corrected! As long as you are happy that they will be attending mass sometimes, praying frequently and religion will underpin their whole ethos, they'll be fine.

Regarding the making friends with other parents, IME, that happens in the playground and at parties and I can promise you, your religious beliefs (or lack of) are never discussed!

It sounds like an excellent school, OP. I've never understood why some parents react to their kids being exposed to religion as if it were Satanism. You don't sound like one of those. Would a visit to the school set your mind at rest?

I attended a Catholic school because I'm a Catholic. Everyone in my class was also Catholic. I can't understand why you would send your child to a Catholic school if you were not a practicing Catholic.

I don't understand why you would want your child indoctrinated with catholicism just because it's an outstanding school ?

I got my kids into an outstanding primary Catholic school. My DH loathes all religions equally and I am a lapsed Catholic. Children had never been baptised nor did we attend church - we got in as we became the first on the waiting list when schools started.

My children (twins) loved it. We got around the religious teachings by telling them that some people believe in this and we are people that don't. My son was quite interested but my daughter found it boring.

We used it as an oppotuntiy for them to learn about the origins of a lot of the holidays - Easter, Christmas etc., art, literature.

We ended up hanging out with a lot of the parents - it was very social. Aside from a few families, the majority of the kids were there because one parent seemed to favour a Catholic school and the other went along with it. But that could differ from area to area.

I don't remember any negativity towards anyone - in fact it preached a love all, have compassion and think of others attitude. We only left to move abroad. Two schools (non religious) later in another European country, the Catholic school remains the best they have been to and my religion hating DH agrees.

Yeah. A lot of the parents arent very religious. No one talks about the stations of the cross in the playground of anything 😂

I personally would not send my child to a Catholic school.

But if its your only option be very clear, in writing, that you do not want your child involved in any religious worship or RE classes.

@Babyroobs well that’s kind of my point - obviously I don’t want them to be ‘indoctrinated’ into any religion, but I started this thread to ask whether this would be the reality in a Catholic primary.