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Original poster

is a school allowed to do this?

331 replies

nonreligiousmummy · 21/04/2005 12:06

My 2 children go to a CofE school. I have no choice in this because it is the only school we can get to. I am very unreligious (sorry) but obviously being a CofE school they have religious stories. I hate this but know that unless I change schools (impossible) I have to put up with it. If I had my way they would not be taught religious studies.

The thing I am happy about is the fact that ds has come home from school on two different occasions now, and said that they were taken to church that day. We (the parents) had no letter or anything to tell us that this would be happening or to ask our permission. Can the school do this? Just take our kids off like that without us knowing? I think its a bit out of order. I don't know what to do. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
nonreligiousmummy · 21/04/2005 12:47

you hit the nail on the head there aloha!

OP posts:
aloha · 21/04/2005 12:47

Actually, I don't even mind if they go to services - but not without my permission, not via school and not with the expectation that they will join in with worship. Sightseeing I am fine with - forced religion, I'm not.

Original poster
nonreligiousmummy · 21/04/2005 12:48

i didnt CHOOSE the school though, thats the point i am trying to make. we have no choice. I cant get them to any other school.

OP posts:
sallystrawberry · 21/04/2005 12:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bundle · 21/04/2005 12:48

of course you chose the school. if you feel that STRONGLY you can move. or home ed.

aloha · 21/04/2005 12:48

Bundle, I don't think she did 'choose' it - it was a church school or nothing. Not everyone has a choice of schools. Luckily my new house (if all goes through OK) is near a good community school so I feel lucky.

iota · 21/04/2005 12:49

sorry have to agree with the ones who said if you don't like it move your child to a non church school - I'm not religious, but ds1 is at a CofE school, which went CofE AFTER he started there

Merlin · 21/04/2005 12:49

I would have loved for my DS to attend our local Cof E school, but despite regular church attendance, letter from minister, christened etc he has not got a place!!!

Original poster
nonreligiousmummy · 21/04/2005 12:49

my next nearest school is about 20 miles away and as i dont drive i really have no choice in the matter.

OP posts:
SaintGeorge · 21/04/2005 12:49

Sorry nrm but I'm with cod on this.

I'm a Pagan. I have started threads and posted on others about religious education in non-church schools. I agree with aloha that religious/sectarian schools shouldn't exist but they do. Face it, this is a CofE school you are talking about, wrong choice if you feel so strongly.

Can't have your cake and eat it as they say.

bundle · 21/04/2005 12:50

aloha, unless this is outer hebrides, i doubt that v much

bundle · 21/04/2005 12:50

aloha, unless this is outer hebrides, i doubt that v much

aloha · 21/04/2005 12:50

I hardly think choosing to home ed is such an easy choice! You can't work for a start! Also, why should people who have paid their taxes for their children's education be forced to allow their children to be indoctrinated by a religion they not only don't believe in, but think is wrong? It really isn't fair.

bundle · 21/04/2005 12:50

nrm you choose where you live though, no?

sallystrawberry · 21/04/2005 12:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bubblerock · 21/04/2005 12:51

Can you not explain to your child that people have different views - some believe in God some don't. As parents it's our jobs to teach our children too. I told our Son that at his school they believe in God and he will learn all sorts of things that he may or may not agree with - Try explaining using Football teams, we support Liverpool but some unfortunates support Man Utd and some people hate football.

elliott · 21/04/2005 12:51

I would object to this too. Its not about being taught about a range of religions, or about religious belief in general is it? I mean is this school also organising trips to other faiths' places of worship?
It is tricky with it being CofE but in some areas the local community school IS a faith school, and there really is little option. Moving isn't a very practicable solution and anyway, why on earth should people have to move in order to get a more neutral (in terms of religion) education? I am also against the requirement for all state schools to have 'a daily christian act of worship'. I don't think this is acceptable in a multi-faith society.

Original poster
nonreligiousmummy · 21/04/2005 12:51

no i didnt bundle. i had to live here. we cant afford to live anywhere else

OP posts:
bundle · 21/04/2005 12:52

i think that a c of e school (supported by the church she doesn't support) is being incredibly fair in educating children from non-religious families. if i felt that strongly about this i would move. no one is forcing her to do this.

Original poster
nonreligiousmummy · 21/04/2005 12:53

WE CANT AFFORD TO MOVE!

OP posts:
sallystrawberry · 21/04/2005 12:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

iota · 21/04/2005 12:53

Saint George - if you're a pagan, that's an ironic choice of nickname

cod · 21/04/2005 12:54

Message withdrawn

aloha · 21/04/2005 12:54

Having faith schools ONLY increases choice for religious people. It drastically reduces choice for non-religious people. It is extremely divisive IMO and also clearly discriminates against people with no religion. If you are religious you can send your child to non-sectarian schools - the same isn't true for people who are non-religious (usually). I think it is outrageous that if the school next to your home is Catholic or CofE there is a good chance your child won't get in. I think if people want schools to pander to their personal beliefs they should pay for them. Atually, I don't. I think schools should be secular, and religion practised at home or in Church. I don't see that religion has any place in education.

bundle · 21/04/2005 12:54

neither can we, but we will have to in the next few months because the flat we live in is too small for us and we are going to have to move out of the area i love, for the sake of my family