Secular schools

[Dragonrider]

I don't want this to sound like an anti-Christian post. I can understand that religious people might want a religious school and I think it's great that religious parents have this option. But, I think it is hugely unfair that atheist parents are not respected in the same way. I resent that my decision to bring up my child/ren without a religion will be undermined. I have some years before we actually have to make any kind of decision, but if we don't move then we have a choice of a CofE voluntary aided school and a Catholic prep school. I am not likely to be in a position to home educate, but if there isn't a suitable English school we would get a place at the (secular) German school (dp is German), but that's in Richmond.

I hope this isn't too controversial. I'm not anti-religion, I just resent having it forced on me. It makes me a bit embarressed of the English school system that we would have to move and send our child to a private foreign school to get a secular education. This has got me quite worked up (I need to find something better to do with mat leave! ), AIBU? (I'm hormonal, so please be nice to me if I am!)

Do you think there is any chance of secular schools being set up, or are foreign schools the only option? Would you consider a secular school if there was one available? I don't even reall understand why it's forbidden. I know it's a Christian country, but there are non-Christian schools. Does anyone know what would I need to do to petition for schools to be allowed to become secular?

I think that school isn't the place for collective worship,Poppity, but I think that people are placing far too much importance on it. My DSs have never told me anything about assemblies-I don't even know what the arrangements are in their comprehensive, (the only assemblies they have told me about seem to be on the theme of exam revision!).They certainly aren't recruits to fill the declining church congregations as suggested earlier!
I would just go with the flow but join the secular society if you feel strongly. Schools won't change until Cof E is separate from the state.

Spokette, do try not to so rude. It is not paranoid on anybodies part to be concerned about a religious ethos in a state school. It patently is there. Where's the paranoia?

And do try to understand other people's points of view. If I while I was in school I told your dts that God did not exist and that the school and you were all lying, you would be understandably upset.

I extend respectful tolerance towards your beliefs, please make an effort to understand mine, and perhaps even read my posts before making rude and sweeping statements.

Neither of us has the moral highground here, we simply have differing beliefs with regards God. If I can't have my version as the official version, then in all fairness, neither should you.

No, I know I was stretching it with that comment.

I really meant particularly with our head, it has opened my eyes to the amount of difference it makes having a very religious person in charge.

My dcs never made much of assemblies previously either, but when they started coming home with stories about hell and pestilence, I waited in the corridor to eavesdrop. I was horrified at what I heard. He delivered a sermon which sounded as if it belonged in church, using an old testament story and not softening it into children's language. I'm sure much of it goes over their heads, but there have been some things which have come up which must be directly related to what they have been told.

When I was at school we did the lords prayer and a hymn or two, but mine now have to repeat a whole load of things such as 'God is everything to all, and the reason we are good'(I can't remember the others, but they repeat a few) at every assembly and to the head at different times during the day; make up prayers; do hymn practice twice a week; contribute to a prayer box; and reflect each week on what it means to be a christian. Some children have been told that god is watching them, and will punish them for behaving badly(at playtime), one punishment is reading passages from the bible out loud.

Actually, now I write this, I realise, it's not so much them growing up believing in god or not that bothers me(I'm really not like that, I just want them to be happy. I'm vegetarian but haven't brought my children up vege), it's more why should they have to be subjected to such nonsense? Of course they will make their own minds up as they grow, and very likely the school stuff will put them off religion, but really, should school be like that?

I did go with the flow while it was reasonable, but I feel lucky to have an older child at the same school, or I may have not been able to discover the reason for some comments and nightmares my younger one has had.

I think we will have to move schools, (although it will still be a C of E school, there is nothing else in my area) in order to escape the preaching attitude of this particular head.

Pisces, I agree with you that in day to day life, it is pretty small beer. But the principle of it is worthy of discussion, and passionate discussion at that.

WorldsWorst, I'd move them and write to the local paper, complain to the Governors, the local vicar and the Bishop.

That is appalling.

Avenging, I think you might be talking to me?

Quite a large number of parents have complained to him, the governors, the teachers, the vicar, and county(haven't tried the paper).

Things have happened, but it sounds like a load of bullshit management speak to us.

It's very hard to get rid of a head

It's interesting to hear that it is out of the ordinary though, I have been told by him that it is expected(actually 'below the bar' was what he said) in a church school.

Sorry, yes it was you Poppity!

As you can legally withdraw from religious assemblies, I'd stick my neck out and say you should be able to withdraw from all other aspects of religious indoctrination as well. I'm assuming this is not a school in an ethnically and religiously diverse community? Or would the head insist on Jewish/Muslim/Buddhist children reflecting on what it means to be a Christian too? And presumably they are all going straight to hell?

I'd add writing to my MP to the list - they need to do something to redeem their reputations at the moment, so I'll bet they will be eager to help constituents...

That's a great idea!

hello
i dont know who codinbatter is but she has never had a problem with her pouch of douglas

Que?

IMO all schools should be secular