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Original poster

Pagan faith school / college

258 replies

DaughtersofFrya · 06/04/2023 18:28

There are many faith schools, but no Pagan ones, and I'd be interested to hear some opinions on the subject. Would you like to have attended one, or would you consider sending your children to one in the future, for example?

OP posts:
Sherrystrull · 08/04/2023 08:03

Will the children learn about different religions?
Will they learn to read? Maths? Science?

Original poster
DaughtersofFrya · 08/04/2023 08:06

Sherrystrull · 08/04/2023 08:03

Will the children learn about different religions?
Will they learn to read? Maths? Science?

Yes.

OP posts:
marcopront · 08/04/2023 08:06

It's not just "people we know". It will be members of our group

If you are expecting parents from outside your group to send their children to the school they might be interested in things like qualifications, experience and DBS checks.

That will depend on circumstances, but in addition to the usual ones, archaeology would probably be a good one.

So you are planning on teaching Maths and English I assume.

Original poster
DaughtersofFrya · 08/04/2023 08:08

marcopront · 08/04/2023 08:06

It's not just "people we know". It will be members of our group

If you are expecting parents from outside your group to send their children to the school they might be interested in things like qualifications, experience and DBS checks.

That will depend on circumstances, but in addition to the usual ones, archaeology would probably be a good one.

So you are planning on teaching Maths and English I assume.

I see no reason why we can't carry out DBS checks. The point is, though, that these are people we already trust.

Yes, the standard subjects.

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 08/04/2023 08:17

I see no reason why we can't carry out DBS checks. The point is, though, that these are people we already trust.

For goodness sakes do the checks. There's far too many incidences of 'people we trust' being abusers in all sorts of organisations, communities and families. Faith schools with supposedly celibate staff included ... hopefully you're a million miles away from being an Ampleforth etc but a residential school is not something where complacent trust is sufficient.

Original poster
DaughtersofFrya · 08/04/2023 08:20

ErrolTheDragon · 08/04/2023 08:17

I see no reason why we can't carry out DBS checks. The point is, though, that these are people we already trust.

For goodness sakes do the checks. There's far too many incidences of 'people we trust' being abusers in all sorts of organisations, communities and families. Faith schools with supposedly celibate staff included ... hopefully you're a million miles away from being an Ampleforth etc but a residential school is not something where complacent trust is sufficient.

I see no reason not to do the checks.

I should also add that we are an all-female group, if that assuages any potential concerns.

OP posts:
marcopront · 08/04/2023 08:22

The first time you were asked what you would teach you said

The curriculum will focus on nature based subjects and physical fitness, and we intend to hold classes outdoors wherever possible.

Now you say

Yes, the standard subjects

Can you see why there is confusion?

Justalittlebitduckling · 08/04/2023 08:23

I wouldn’t, no.

Original poster
DaughtersofFrya · 08/04/2023 08:24

marcopront · 08/04/2023 08:22

The first time you were asked what you would teach you said

The curriculum will focus on nature based subjects and physical fitness, and we intend to hold classes outdoors wherever possible.

Now you say

Yes, the standard subjects

Can you see why there is confusion?

We will focus on nature-based subjects but this does not mean eschewing the standard subjects altogether.

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 08/04/2023 08:27

but what will you do with science, for example, as you wont be insured to do science practicals, so will need to do iGCSE all text book based? That is a very restrictive way of learning.

Will you be doing iGCSEs in general? rather than normal ones? I am guessing you will, is that right?

I am not sure you can rely on staff celibacy either, that is never foolproof

Sherrystrull · 08/04/2023 08:28

Can you explain what you mean about nature based subjects? What would a typical lesson look like?

Nimbostratus100 · 08/04/2023 08:29

are you already a residential community? how large? If you are taking children into an already established residential community, everyone over 16 will need to be DBS checked.

Go you already have premises? WHat are they like?

Original poster
DaughtersofFrya · 08/04/2023 08:32

Nimbostratus100 · 08/04/2023 08:27

but what will you do with science, for example, as you wont be insured to do science practicals, so will need to do iGCSE all text book based? That is a very restrictive way of learning.

Will you be doing iGCSEs in general? rather than normal ones? I am guessing you will, is that right?

I am not sure you can rely on staff celibacy either, that is never foolproof

Once the school is established, we will look into the possibility of hiring premises for things like science experiments. There's a school near us that hires its facilities out, for example. Insurance will also need to be looked into.

With regard to celibacy, its a prerequisite for members of our group.

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 08/04/2023 08:33

Sherrystrull · 08/04/2023 08:28

Can you explain what you mean about nature based subjects? What would a typical lesson look like?

This is what I am confused about, as "nature based" and "outdoors" does not fit with iGCSE science, which is all text book based, but normal science GCSEs won't be possible without qualified science teachers, for insurance, and risk assessments, and so on. Thius year some practicals could still be done by watching a video instead, but this is because of the backlog of practicals still left undone since lockdown, and will change now, probably. But even now, most are expected to be done in person.

pinkdelight · 08/04/2023 08:33

I suspect you are trying to define them as Pagan from the perspective of an outside

Well that's what happens when you ask outsiders for their perspective. Seems like you already know what Pagans think about it all, so no point asking here if you don't want to engage with the reality.

Hobbi · 08/04/2023 08:34

@DaughtersofFrya

"You don't need formal qualifications to teach in a home school, for example."

There are no 'home schools' in the UK. There is only elective home education which is not about groups of children together. In fact, if you know of any parents who have elected to home educate but are sending their children to a group of more than four please report them as it would be classed as an unregistered, illegal school.

Original poster
DaughtersofFrya · 08/04/2023 08:34

Sherrystrull · 08/04/2023 08:28

Can you explain what you mean about nature based subjects? What would a typical lesson look like?

A typical lesson will be conducted outdoors, either in the open, or in a large tent/small marquee depending on weather and time of year.

OP posts:
Sherrystrull · 08/04/2023 08:36

Ok but what will the children do in the lesson? What will they be learning?

Original poster
DaughtersofFrya · 08/04/2023 08:36

Nimbostratus100 · 08/04/2023 08:29

are you already a residential community? how large? If you are taking children into an already established residential community, everyone over 16 will need to be DBS checked.

Go you already have premises? WHat are they like?

We have seven members who live here full time, plus members who visit and stay over. Our premises are a house with a garden.

OP posts:
Original poster
DaughtersofFrya · 08/04/2023 08:38

pinkdelight · 08/04/2023 08:33

I suspect you are trying to define them as Pagan from the perspective of an outside

Well that's what happens when you ask outsiders for their perspective. Seems like you already know what Pagans think about it all, so no point asking here if you don't want to engage with the reality.

I was simply trying to clear up some apparent misunderstandings of what Paganism is.

OP posts:
Original poster
DaughtersofFrya · 08/04/2023 08:40

Hobbi · 08/04/2023 08:34

@DaughtersofFrya

"You don't need formal qualifications to teach in a home school, for example."

There are no 'home schools' in the UK. There is only elective home education which is not about groups of children together. In fact, if you know of any parents who have elected to home educate but are sending their children to a group of more than four please report them as it would be classed as an unregistered, illegal school.

How about classes of four or less?

And what about parents who home school and have more than four children?

OP posts:
borntobequiet · 08/04/2023 08:41

Pagan is a term used by Pagans today, and therefore has meaning.

There’s a plethora of terms people use about themselves nowadays, which have meaning to themselves, but which are meaningless to everyone else.

Set up your own school with like minded people? You seem to think there are enough of them.

Original poster
DaughtersofFrya · 08/04/2023 08:41

Sherrystrull · 08/04/2023 08:36

Ok but what will the children do in the lesson? What will they be learning?

The standard subjects, but focusing on the natural world, too. Also physical pursuits such as sports, hiking, orienteering, etc.

OP posts:
borntobequiet · 08/04/2023 08:42

Oh I see you have. Good luck with hiring premises for scientific experiments.

Hobbi · 08/04/2023 08:47

@DaughtersofFrya

"And what about parents who home school and have more than four children?"

A somewhat facetious question. Are you suggesting you know of a viable, registered organisation with unpaid teachers in classes of four or less or with classes entirely of siblings? And again, seeing as you are correcting other's terminology, there is no 'homeschooling' in England.