is a school allowed to do this?

[nonreligiousmummy]

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.

OMG - taking children into a CHURCH???? how absolutely horrifying. burn them all down i say....

I am bit sceptical about the 20 miles claim - are you COMPLETELY isolated? And how come there are alternate religious buildings that they could visit if you are this isolated?

AFAIK the state does not fund church schools to the extend of non-church schools - the extra is usually funded by the diocese. The state funds religious schools because they usually provide excellent education and people (even non-religious) are for that reason desperate to send their children there!

A church school will have daily worship and usually termly church services.

To be honest I am surprised that you moved somewhere this isolated without considering the school options as you feel so strongly about it(unless you moved 10 years ago of course!)

Scotlou - Really! I went to B of A Primary School and then Wallace High School. We only had services at Easter and Christmas. Must check that, thanks.

NRM - I'm still not clear whether these trips are 'about' religion or to take part in religious ceremonies?

I think people are being v hard on nrm - there are huge areas in this country where the only practical primary education is CoE, and as Foundation Schools (tho' now suported entirely through public money)have enormous leeway in how they deliver education. And I don't think it's quite fair, either to 'blame' the CoE for this - it reflects the country's neglect to build enough non-religious state schools to supersede, supplement or replace the schools which were originally founded out of the only charitable source of education for working class children then available! It is an iniquitous sytem all round in comtemporary Britain, and nrm is feeling it at the sharp end.

But surely, nrm, all you need to do is write and say that you would like your children to withdraw from any religious ceremonies / worship?

Personally I can't see any problem at all with being educated ABOUT any of the world religions

You know it occurs to me that there are people who would pay a premium for your house, if it guarantees a place in the church school.

MP I moved here 7 years ago, before children. I had a career and was learning to drive. Then I fell pregnant and everything changed.

Yes the other religious buildings are far away as well, but surely if it was a case of them only going to look at the buildings they would have proper school trips there. They only go to the church here to pray etc.

Some people grow up and live their whole lives in areas where the huge majority of schools are some dort of church foundation!

I was brought up in suburban Nottingham, but the only local primaries were CoE or Catholic.

we rent easy.

how bizarre.

what on earth did you think they'd be teaching at a CofE school?

I am sure they will respect your wishes (although think you are a hypocrite!) if you write and tell them you dont want your child to attend church services.

dd1 has been completley 'brainwashed' by her c of e school and totally believes in God - so what? She's got years to grow up and decide for herself one way or another.

well, all types of school visits are becoming less and less frequent since there are now so many objections/threats of legal action/other hassles from parents and kids alike. Soon there will be no school visits of any kind.The teaching unions are becoming more and more opposed to their members going on trips. So the whingers will get their way! happy days....

NRM: I lead local church visits from the local cofe primary - believe me, you can't get a classful of four year-olds to pray! We just show them round and tell them what's what, and the priest gets out his pretty dresses to show them.

The termly services are usually the children doing readings (sometimes religious, sometimes not) and singing songs (sometimes religious, sometimes now) and the priest reading out a few prayers.

What did you expect a church school to do? How did you think church schools differed from non-church schools if not attending church and learning about christian traditions? (serious questions)

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Where I live getting into a church school is the hardest thing in the world as they are perceived to offer the highest standard of education. Perhaps this fact would help you feel better about the aspects of their curriculum you don't like or agree with.

I don't want to force religion on my two but am eager for them to learn about it - my DD (6) is currently learning about muslims at her non-church school. I would hope that she can make a balanced opinion about all religions and embrace all faiths when she is old enough to do so. I think your anti-church tack might make your children enquire about what it is exactly you hate so much.

and to think, some kids used to actually like going on school trips.....a bit of variety, change of scene, first hand experience of something.....what madness!

But the point is that it declares itself to be a church school. So if you try and change the fact that school expects the children to practice religion, then you are trying to change the whole nature of that institution.

TBH, if I was the head, and you came to me with the complaint, I would point out that other schools exist that do not have that expectation, and would consider it reasonable to ask you to withdraw your children, even if it did mean that you have to drive your kids a long way, or move house.

I suspect that in your particular case, you are in the minority, and need to compromise, or move on.

I have to say my local CofE primary (25% of all costs are paid by the Church btw) gives excellent all-round religious education - so much so that we had a petition recently after Diwali from christian parents complaining that their poor children were being forced to worship Hindu gods...
(Of course we rejected it and had a good laugh about it. )

Ds is at a school with close links to the local church, and we attend every Sunday, but he has still managed at six to inform us that he has decided not to believe that "silly story about Adam and Eve, we're all descended from monks in my opinion".
Church-going is not necessarily indoctrination and, like the majority of Christian Mumsnetters I am sure, I will be quite happy for my children to question our family beliefs and go their own way if they prefer to.
I too am puzzled about how you have so little choice NRM...it's very unusual for a C of E school to be so hardline in an area where there is little alternative for committed atheists like yourself. I know in places like Bristol for example, where church schools historically predominate, those schools appreciate that many parents are not Christians, and are sensitive to that.

I can't get over the fact you feel so strongly and yet sent your kids there. Where on earth do you live that there are no other schools nearby? We live in rural Dorset and there are many primaries near us??

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lol at "descended from monks"

it's not a high school is it? in which case I'd understand why there's not another one for miles.

the bubs are 4 and 6