To wonder if church schools are becoming undated

130 replies

Notasproutbutagiantpea · 28/04/2024 23:46

*outdated ?

My youngest DC is off to start school in September and we are in catchment of a relatively new modern school with 5 class intake and also same distance is a church of England school with 2 classes. Both same good ofsted, both in past 2 years.

The church school catchment on the council website is basically the whole wider area, which is slightly confusing. But the church school has been undersubscribed for the last 2 years. Is this a low birth rate thing or the fact the the non- religious school is full more appealing in modern times? Maybe less people are christened, or religious, so find it harder to secure a church school if this is considered part of the application as still goes through the council, but you can add notes as to why you want the school. Plus the church school was saying before the place allocation that they still had spaces for September. A friend has said years ago that the head had said they pick who they want, in terms of family fit so distance isn’t an issue.

A couple of smaller schools (single intake) in the area have become academies so maybe it’s just smaller schools are struggling?

OP posts:

AliceMcK · 02/05/2024 11:24

TizerorFizz · 01/05/2024 21:35

I’ve seen RC schools only want RC teachers. It’s discrimination in my view. Excluding others based on religion who could be more than qualified or better qualified for the job. It’s not acceptable. At least our local CofE junior was VC and a bit light touch until new Head arrived. I now hear it’s gone evangelical and DC are turned off by prayers before lessons and all sorts of bible phrases all over the place. Many DC are questioning what’s being said. My DC would have left. It used to be Harvest Festival, Christmas and the vicar once a month. The Diocese education service is pushing all of this. Who honestly needs it in school?

There are plenty of non RC teachers in my DCs RC schools. Also those annoying ones who get their children baptised just to get them a school place. The only requirement is the HT is catholic which I think is fair enough in a faith school.

The previous RE teacher at my DDs high school was a female minister, I’m not sure of her faith as she left not long after dd started but she’d been there for years before leaving. The school chapel is designed for children of all faiths to enjoy. The school has a number of teachers who are not RC, I’ve seen at least 2 female teachers wearing hijabs.

User364837 · 02/05/2024 11:28

In my experience with C of E schools the church links are pretty tenuous and you hardly notice a difference.
Catholic schools it can be a bit more pronounced

Sooooootired01 · 02/05/2024 12:51

@TizerorFizz Devoted Christians?

TizerorFizz · 02/05/2024 19:39

@Sooooootired01 Not sure what you mean? I think many are happy with light touch, as I was, but in your face every day is too much where the vast majority of pupils aren’t devoted to anything. So they do not need it. Unfortunately it’s difficult to get into another school.

Notamum12345577 · 03/05/2024 03:42

Diggby · 01/05/2024 15:01

Our C of E school is vastly oversubscribed and requires church attendance as well as baptism, signed for by the vicar, to get a place. It is a superb school with a particularly good reputation for SEN. And of course if the local churches are full of parents and young children then it is self-perpetuating as there is a social element for young families, which there wouldn't be if the churches were three old ladies and a hearing loop.

The only mild criticism I have is that Year 3 have recently got into heroin, but it's worked out alright on balance as it calms them down after lunch time and means they don't go on the rob down the high street any more.

Better than speed which would make them hyper 🤣

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6