How much religion is too much in primary school?

[lodo]

DS1 has just started reception in a catholic primary school. (We are catholic and go to church.) However, it seems to me that the school has taken the religious-side of his education to an extreme, to the extent I would say he is being brain washed - all he ever talks about is God, Jesus, praying, sinning, rosary beads, etc.

The school has also just be re-inspected after a previously poor ofsted report (it got a 3 - satisfactory rating) which more or less said the teaching was still not good, the improvements required from the last ofsted had not been implemented and the governors had their heads in the clouds.

I'm seriously considering taking him out but, with 3 DC, private would have to be the absolute last resort (all other state schools are full and i"m already on a waiting list to move).

Am I right to be concerned?

How much is OK and how much is too much is up to you really, isn't it? Or are you more concerned at the lack the 3Rs and feel religion is pushing out more important subjects?

the second question probably sums it up best - religion does appear to be pushing out other subjects. I am happy that religion is part of the school and i knew it would be but it does concern me that teaching about God does appear to be being prioritised over everything else, and given the school has been criticised about its teaching of maths, english, etc. I am very concerned. This morning, my DS told me randomly if that someone isn't nice, they will not go to heaven (and started pointing to the floor with a sad knowing look on his face).

I think you are probably over-reacting TBH
They will have collective worship every day and RE. Many of the children in Reception won't go to church or pray at home so the teachers need to get them used to it.
They won't be prioritised over other subjects but I'm sure you'll have a chance soon to talk to his teacher about how he has settled in

If he is only in Reception he has really only just started hasn't he? Is he bringing reading books home, that sort of thing?

FWIW my DS has attended three different primary schools and the Catholic one was the most fantastic experience of all them (we are not Catholic but we do have a Christian Faith).

It is very early days, I would let things settle down or go in and have a word with the teacher.

lodo, maybe, he is talking about God, etc. because it feels new to him? You did mention that you go to church but how much talking have you done on religious topics as a family? Not implying that you should have done so - but it is possible that the school has provided him with the first conscious religious experience and it's fascinating? My both DC went to CoE school and, even though we are religious too and go to church, both went through the phase of asking us what God is, etc. only after starting school. It passed quite quickly though.

My advice is just give it time and see.

I would be interested in how this turned out as a catholic school is one of my choices and we are eligible but I am very nervous about how much religion will be forced upon the children !

DS(year 5) was like this for the first term of catholic school (I suspect because of the lead up to Christmas) he calmed down with it in january until Easter and then again in about June.

I think it was the first time he'd really understood it (we are catholic but clearly I'd not explained stuff that well) At those times of year they do add a lot of religion into everything, I remember maths sheets featuring sheep and shepherds very heavily.

By year 1 he'd got pretty bored of talking about Jesus and stopped it.

DD is reception at a non religious school that try to cover all the major religions festivals so last term I had a few weeks of her talking about Diwali, then a few weeks of her being obsessed with Hannukah, then Christmas and now everything is about wise men and Epiphany. I also had 2 weeks where everything was about trees.

I think at that age they just get obsessed by the new things they've learned/suddenly understood so I'd just give it time and see if he calms down a bit.

I would be worried about the ofsted report though.

I think you should use your instincts and be guided by them. Some children get really involved with the new things they are learning. Eg we all know the child who knows the name of every dinosaur there ever was. He could just be learning about religion. But if alarms bells are ringing them listen to them. I'm all for religion being taught in schools, but keep your instincts intact. Good luck.

I'd keep him on all the waiting lists for other state schools. In reception, you can always teach him the essentials at home, and a place is bound to open up at another school sooner or later.
In other words, it does sound as though the school are grabbing the very first opportunity to win over the new pupils to the Faith, which no doubt takes time away from other things, and they apparently feel happy with that approach.

"told me randomly if that someone isn't nice, they will not go to heaven"

I'd be worried that they are teaching heresy!

Well, it's up to you really - I mean any religion is too much for some people in schools, you need to decide what you are happy with. Ask the school how much RE they teach in a week.
It seems a bit daft to choose a church school for your DS and then complain about how much they are teaching - RE is going to be a strong teaching subject in most church schools.

Catholic schools in England and Wales are meant to devote 10% of teaching time to RE.
I don't think this includes collective worship/assembly and attendance at Mass.

Details can be found here