Church of England schools in London - some advice please

[nanneh]

Hello

I was wondering if anyone had experience with trying to get their child into a C of E school. I am not exactly devote (in any religion !), but one of the top schools in my part of London happens to be C of E. Their requirement is that you have to have attended their church for at least 12 months before application.

My DS is now 18 months old, but as it can be difficult to sort schools out, I am planning way ahead !

I just wondered whether such schools are good out "fishing out" those who are not that religious and whether that will create a problem. I have no problems with attending church. I have done so in the past on a regular basis, but this was back in the 80's. I have not been baptised in the C of E, but was baptised into another Christian church (American-based)in 1985. I have not been to church since as I became disillusioned with the pratcises of the church I had joined.

I have a good knowledge of Christianity though and have read both the Old and New Testaments at least twice, cover to cover. I went to go a
C of E private school in my youth !!

Any advice appreciated.

Nanneh, the CofE encompasses a very wide range of beliefs, so I think that the only criteria will be involvement (though presumably of a positive kind - turning up in a satanists outfit however frequently would probably not count as involvement.

CofE schools are having to be particular as to how they apply their criteria as they usually can't afford to lose an appeal on admissions. So if you are going 2x a month, yet don't believe in a physical resurrection then you're still ahead of a daily bible reader who only goes once a month.

creole and ladymuck - both excellent posts and good advice, thanks !

Well, perhaps I should keep the satan dressing to the fancy dress party then, eh ?

The hypocrisy argument won't weigh too heavy on my conscious as my in-laws are quite religious (my husband isn't) and would like their only grandchild to have a religious education and I believe in God (and therefore his antithesis: the Devil ) - and would like to keep the latter as far away from my little son as possible, so a church school will be a very good start !!

Nanneh, I'm not sure how the Governors worked out that the families were pretend christians! There are plenty of parents at the school who are openly going to Church only to get in the school though and many stop going all together once their children are in the school.

I think that our school is planning to change its policy soon, and another cofe school in the area has already done so (too many people coming from too far away to the schools, just because they go to the local church, when local families aren't getting in). - it would be worth you checking the admissions policy of the school you are thinking of. At our church, the children seem to start going to Sunday school at least a couple of years before they go to school.

Yes, Nanneh, in answer to your question, people who regularly attend church have, I think been turned down at my childrens' school because the top priority goes to siblings. so there are then in some years only a few places left, so some church goers don't get in. I think priority is then determined by special need and/or distance to the school. (and people go to any lengths, getting letters from their doctors etc etc).

Polly - thanks again. I will have to do more research !

Polly - do you mind me asking where abouts is North London you are talking about ? Just wondering if your school is near mine, so I can think again !