Catholic school admissions

[ivfbabymomma1]

Hi all

Does anyones children go to a catholic school when they aren't catholic?

My son is christened CofE but there is a really good catholic primary school 2 minutes walk from my house...

So I have a chance?

Thank you!!!!

This depends on so many things.

I would say things that are hopeful signs are:

Living in a more rural area so the school has a very wide catchment - lack of free school transport for faith schools might lead to catholic parents choosing a closer, non RC school.

Availability of other good schools locally, which might mean some catholic parents choosing a different school.

It being a relatively low birth rate year in your local area.

Some faith schools put baptised children of other Christian denominations who wish for a catholic education slightly higher up the admissions criteria, so check this.

No nor me, plus the church partially funds these schools which releases local authority/government money to go on non Catholic schools.

I sent my son to a Catholic primary, godamn awful teacher started who didn't understand OCD or autism, nearly destroyed him after 5 extremely successful years there. Eight children were pulled from that previously oversubscribed school in that class in that year which spoke volumes towards the behaviour of that bullying teacher.

I moved him to an agnostic school, still in the catchment who were totally and utterly amazing with him. He thrived there again.

In secondary, he started at the agnostic feeder school, but was bullied there by other children, the head was amazing I have to say, moved him to a Catholic Secondary who again were fabulous.

So have had good and bad in both unfortunately.

@SavoirFlair and if the Catholic school is your local school, what then?

I think if schools want to select by religion then they should be 100% funded by the religion in question.

Have you actually thought about what it means for your DC to go to a Catholic school?

I was raised Catholic and went to a Catholic school in England until age 18, although this was a few years ago. We had to do things like open confession (do you know what that is?); one friend was asked to leave the school when she repeatedly refused and didn’t continue to agree with school ethos. Priests very involved with school. Church was next door to school so loads of mass like assemblies. Most socialising among the parents was with people who attended church (regular attendance). We’d sometimes be asked about the sermon on Sunday and it would be discussed in class. RE didn’t cover other religions at all as I remember. Are you happy with broader curriculum about sex ed and what will be taught etc.

i’d describe myself as agnostic now and not saying I had a bad experience at school as I enjoyed it, but it’s not what my DC are doing.

Each school is different but I think you really need to do some research.

The parents of those children are also taxpayers, so are already contributing towards the school. I know the church partially funds these schools, but don't know by how much currently.

If you allow all children over every faith and no faith to attend a Catholic school equally, and I can see the argument, then they cease to become Catholic schools because the parents would not have any interest in faith.religious activities/events/teachings etc.

I'll be honest, I'm a very lapsed Catholic, and on my divorce wanted my son to go to the same Catholic school that I did which had an excellent reputation and brilliant results. He was already baptised or both sets of devout Catholic parents would have murdered us ironically.

I moved back into the area, and having a then 2 year old, (25 now) his choice of school was a major factor in where I moved to.

But I was brought up in that faith, and could support my son in that faith until he was old enough to make his own mind up. Then he lapsed too.

But overall I think what I am saying is despite my own behaviour faith schools should be available for people who want to bring those children up in that faith as a priority. Their parents are taxpayers too.

Plus at primary we all did First Holy Communion together and then later Confirmation. Both big things. If you don’t do these will your DC be ‘left out’ and how do you feel about them becoming that faith?

really don’t think you’ve considered this at all.

It ready depends on a number of things, the area (like if there's another equally good non-faith school nearby that draws local families in) recent Ofsted, birth year and demographic stats--the lovely Catholic school that my son attended had a wait list a mile long when he was given a place in reception. Roll on several years later, they now have banners outside the gate advertising "places available" with lots of non Catholic families attending.

The fact of the matter is, nobody on MN can tell you if you have a hope of getting your child in, Catholic school or any school for that matter. Attend an open day in the autumn, call the local authority, figure it out.

@Kite22 I wasn't asking what my exact chances were at all! I was asking for other peoples personal experiences.

Yes, my DS went to a Catholic school - we are practicing Christians but not Catholic. We had moved into the area and there was just one space in his year group - we had a chat with the Head and he did discuss faith. It was a wonderful school, we attended all the church services etc and fully respected the ethos of the school.

I think there is always a chance OP. We live on the same road as a Catholic primary school which is rated very highly and my DC got a place. We're not religious in any sense of the word and in the end we turned the place down mainly because of this aspect and DC already attending a nursery attached to a good primary school up the road.

I was giving you a reason why some people might want a Catholic school. DD does attend one, but she is baptised Catholic,goes to church and is being raised in the faith.

I wouldn't pick a Muslim school no matter how great it was because it is quite far removed from our lifestyles and beliefs. I was raised Christian Orthodox, since there aren't any churches of that faith in my area and the Catholic church is 2 minutes away from house and very closely related to what I know(including the prayers) it was the obvious choice and the transition was very smooth.

Thank you to everyone who gave me a reply - really appreciate it.

Even in the same town it can vary. In a town near me there's a highly regarded girls' Catholic secondary school which has strict criteria. Priority is given to those baptised the youngest. There's another Catholic mixed secondary which is not popular and anyone could get in

It really depends on the school in question. My DC is starting reception this September, although we did consider a Catholic school, DC is starting in our local non-denominational school instead. We liked one Catholic school a lot, it is undersubscribed and lovely, but out of our area and I don't want to commit to driving for what would end up as an hour a day. They have 50% Catholic children.

There is a local Catholic school as well, but it backs onto the Church, most children are Catholic, they spend an hour every Thursday attending mass etc. I decided I am not 'Catholic enough' to want my DC spending that much time in Church! They both have better results than our local school though.

If the school’s criterion is baptism, you are meeting that criterion. There is no such thing as being baptised a Roman Catholic, just being baptised by a Roman Catholic priest. Baptism is baptism.
Just make sure you are comfortable with the ethos and atmosphere of the school.

My dc attends a Catholic school and is of no religion, they were very clear that Catholic Children would be given places over children of no religion, but they welcome other religions and those of no religion.

And whilst he does have to sit in through mass etc
The school make it clear that if you have no religion or practice another religion, that you sit quietly through it.

Oh and to add I'm in London.

Our DS's Catholic School is really popular and has no problems filling the spaces for the Catholic Children, with lots on a waiting list. But they have to or opt to take in 5% non religious apparently.
Our DS's friend is non religious and got a place.

The only thing that trumps being catholic is having a. EHCP then you have to get a place.
I went to a catholic primary and secondary school . Primary school was amazing. We all made out first holy communion together at a special service in the church, then went for a tea at the school afterwards. It was a d still is a very small school, one class a year.
Secondary school very strict on criteria, I was interviewed separately from my parents to check our stories matched and that was in spite of my sister already attending the school. I got in

As most Catholic schools will prioritize practising Catholics then baptized Catholics over others for admission then spare places could mean falling numbers of Catholics in the catchment area, withdrawal of transport in the outer catchment parishes or as in the case of my DC's primary school a fall in standards

I wentbto a Catholic convnt primary school in thec70,s and 80,s ww never did open confession ,either in primary or secondary school ,there was a Chapel attached to the convent so we did attend Mass fairly often ,but my Catholic secondary school was just like any secondary school ,apart from a prayer and hymn in assembly ,
My sin goes to a Catholic school and its nothing like you describe either!

Only around half my sons class too their first communion and the teachings were all after school so there was no leaving out
I think some people have a very outdated view of Catholic schools.

Dts are at catholic primary and it is over subscribed.

Criteria are

LAC and previously LAC (any or no religion)
Baptised siblings
Baptised children on distance
Other christened children on distance
Other religions on distance

In our school they never get past baptised children on distance

I, too, am puzzled by a PP's reference to 'open confession'. I am wondering if they are referring to confession aka the 'Sacrament of Reconciliation' being celebrated in various corners of the Assembly Hall (for instance ) rather than in the box in church. Surely the reason for this practice growing in recent years is obvious?