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Original poster

Don't all jumpt on me for this but I need your help......

64 replies

galaxy · 17/09/2006 19:01

I am about to submit my application for dd's primary school and we have chosen a Catholic School as 1st preference. It's not my closest school but it is the one that dh and I feel will suit dd best even though we aren't Catholics. It's not the highest performing school in the town so this isn't about trying to pretend we're very religious in order to get in. Having visited the school, we both loved the atmosphere and the ethos of the school.On a less important note, dd's closest friends who are Catholic will be going there.
I need to submit the school's application form and can't get it signed by the parish priest as I don't go to Church. I am however a baptised Christian but having spent years going to Church don't find it is right for me. dh is agnostic although currently studying budhism.
Doe anyone have any thoughts on what I should say in the covering letter? Please, if anyone just wants to jump on me and accuse me of taking a place that a Catholic child could have, then there is no need as the school's application policy would ensure that this doesn't happen and the school is not over-subscribed in any case.

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Original poster

galaxy · 17/09/2006 20:58

Tommy, I'm in Farnham - is this near you?

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Tommy · 17/09/2006 21:03

I'm Southampton but, IME, the southern Dioceses (adminstrative areas) are a bit more liberal than some of the northern ones. Farnham would be Arundel & Brighton Diocese I guess which is fairly similar to where I am.

SherlockLGJ · 17/09/2006 21:09

Galaxy

Would you have to go over the railway line to get there ???????

SherlockLGJ · 17/09/2006 21:09

Galaxy

Would you have to go over the railway line to get there ???????

SherlockLGJ · 17/09/2006 21:18

And as for making First Holy Communion that is something that is done in the parishes, so if DD did not do it, it would not be really noticed.

Our school is happy to be inclusive and indeed we are, we ask only that people do not seek to change the ethos of the school.

It has a wonderful community spirit, it is very religous but I do not think this is a bad thing.

In the Mission statement/ letter from our Headmaster he stated the following. This is what sold it to me.

I believe that children need to be nurtured if they are to enjoy their childhood and that we must treasure today as the most important moment in their lives. I feel, in the face of the sometimes overwhelming pressures of today's society, that their childhood must never be lost in the dash for tomorrow!

Olihan · 17/09/2006 21:23

I taught in a catholic school before I had ds (I'm not catholic, loosely CofE but not a regular church goer) and the catholic children did their First Communion outside of school. It sounds similar to yours in that it wasn't over subscribed and had a fair proportion of non catholics attending. We did have mass at the beginning and end of every term, plus a class mass once a term but for the non catholic children it wasn't that different to a normal assembly. The older children who had done their first communion took the communion, the younger catholic children and the more religious children were blessed and those who had no particular affiliations stayed put.

There is more of an RE curriculum in Catholic schools as it's part of the 'core' subjects along with English, Maths and Science but it's not just bible study, there's a lot of 'how do we treat people', 'what's good behaviour', etc that you'd get in a PSE lesson in any school, regardless of faith. I think it also depends a lot on the teacher too, I wasn't as religious as some so my class probably got less of the religious angle than those who's teachers were devout catholics.

Obviously every school is different but there are some good ideas from people on your application letter and to be honest, if you like the atmosphere and ethos of the school and think your dd will be happy there, that's more important than anything.

Glassofwine · 17/09/2006 21:25

Galaxy - my dd's go to our local c of e school, which is usually oversubscribed priority going to church goers (after siblings). We moved here when dd1 was going into year 2 and luckily a child had left, so there was space. This meant we didn't have to fall into the church going catagory, which was great as we didn't want to be dishonest. However there is a very strong christian ethos and I don't believe in God, although am not 'anti' religion I think there is a lot of positive messages for children. DH is a lapsed catholic - a very lapsed one.

We did have concerns about the mixed messages the children would get and if they would feel left out etc. So far it hasn't been a problem, both dd's just accept what they are taught at school. They have once or twice directly asked if we belive in God and we have said that we are not sure - they seemed to take that at face value. Some of their classmates are from proper churchgoing families, some from families who go because they felt they had to to get the children in and some are just not interested. I really don't think its worth worrying about.

We looked into moving to Farnham and investigated a catholic primary school there (can't remember the name). All the local families I spoke to raved about it including one of the estate agents. The general consensus was that some of the primary schools that had fantastic SATS were too pushy and a lot of pressure was put on the children. The catholic one was my favourite when we thought of moving there, would have had a problem with Dh, but wasn't an issue in the end as we moved near to Haslemere. Anyway, what I'm saying is if it's the same one and if you have a strong instincitive feeling then go for it, be honest on the form and if it's right it'll happen.

SherlockLGJ · 17/09/2006 21:29

Glass of wine

I reckon the pushy school was South Farnham.

And the Catholic was just around the corner.

Linnet · 17/09/2006 21:47

My dd1 goes to a catholic school, we're not catholic and the reason she goes is because it's a good school and it's in our catchment area. We weren't given first priority when we applied as first priority went to children baptised in the catholic faith, then any siblings then those in the catchment area. We were told that we may not get in but we did. they have a policy of taking non-catholic children if they have spaces.

Last year the children did their holy Communion, although I think they called it something else. Dd didn't do it and neither did many of the other children in her class. When thecatholic children were studying for the communion dd and her fellow non-catholic pupils were put into other classes to do some work.

Glassofwine · 17/09/2006 21:52

Sherlock - now you say it, you're right it was south Farnham. a big part of our reason for moving was schools, so the great result were what initially attracted us. I'm glad we didn't do it now as our school here is wonderful

Judy1234 · 17/09/2006 22:36

On the first commmunion it depends on the area and the school. My twins just did theirs in London (at the Oratory) and the Sunday before was the day the children from the Oratory state school did theirs as a class I think and all from that school together, not in their parishes. Not that I'm sure this is any kind of problem. In my Catholic private school we had some girls who weren't Catholics and they weren't made to feel left out.

Original poster

galaxy · 20/09/2006 22:19

LGJ, is ds at SP's?

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Original poster

galaxy · 12/10/2006 21:12

Just an update - we have thought long and hard about this and decided that we are going to apply to the Catholic School as we think it's right for dd.

Thanks for all your advice

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Original poster

galaxy · 12/10/2006 22:01

Is this ok:

Thank you for taking the time to meet with us and show us around your school during July, particularly as end of term is no doubt a busy time for you and I have pleasure in enclosing our application form for xx.

Our initial impression of the school during our visit was that it provided the children with a stimulating and caring environment and from what we saw in the classrooms, everyone demonstrated respect for those around them. We also found the ethos and atmosphere very welcoming. Having visited a number of other schools, our initial impression has not changed and we feel that St Polycarp?s is the best school for xx.

Whilst we are not attached to a Parish church, I am a baptised Christian and xx is a spiritual person currently exploring Buddhism. xx is being brought up according to Christian principles and we value the influence of Christianity in an educational setting. xx has not been baptised as we would like her to make her own decisions later in life, but as a Christian I wanted her to receive the blessing of the Church, which xx supported, and she was blessed through a Thanksgiving ceremony at St Peter?s in xx.

Your statement that children should be nurtured in order to enjoy their childhood struck a chord with us both and whilst we have high expectations for xx's education, we want her to enjoy school and when she is older to have happy memories of her school years.

xx's best friend has an older sibling at Polycarp?s and her mother has given a resounding recommendation which also gives me confidence that we are making the right decision.

We do hope that you will consider our application for xx favourably and we look forward to meeting with you again

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Original poster

galaxy · 12/10/2006 22:09

bump

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SherlockLGJ · 12/10/2006 22:11

Yes he is at SP's

Original poster

galaxy · 12/10/2006 22:16

I was convinced ds was younger than he obviously is - your goat's cheese stall thread must have been longer ago than I thought!

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SherlockLGJ · 12/10/2006 22:17

Bloody great school.

And it was that part of the mission statement our Headmaster that did it for me.

He loves every one of them, he knows all their names.

FGS I am gushing now , but it is a great school.

SherlockLGJ · 12/10/2006 22:17

He is in YR1 and the goats cheese incident was two years ago.

Original poster

galaxy · 12/10/2006 22:18

blimey was it? you think dd will be ok at Sp's then? We thought it looked fab

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SherlockLGJ · 12/10/2006 22:24

Yes

I think she will be great, the only thing I will say to you, is please oh please do not use us as a clearing house for South Farnham.

They are pushing their class sizes out to 40 !!! with extra TA's but even still 40 !!

As I said originally, it is very Catholic, but very inclusive,they ask only that you do not seek to change the ethos of the school. But you seem to love it so that is unlikely.

Original poster

galaxy · 12/10/2006 22:27

Not thought about South Farnham really - I'm hoping that she'll stay at SP's if she gets in. If I absolutely wanted her to get into South Farnham, I'd send her to St Andrews who are a feeder school for SF. I'd be reluctant to move her from her friends and peers. ds went to SF and enjoyed it but he didn't do particularly well educationally

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Original poster

galaxy · 12/10/2006 22:29

Don't suppose you're on the board of governors are you?

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SherlockLGJ · 12/10/2006 22:31

No....................

But loads of my mates are....

Let me count them................

3 Foundation Governors

I Parent Governor

Not a bad hit list after one year.

Original poster

galaxy · 12/10/2006 22:32

We must meet for coffee

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