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Preschool education

Get advice from other Mumsnetters to find the best nursery for your child on our Preschool forum.

Original poster

Non catholic child - catholic school?

52 replies

Chappers868 · 24/04/2017 18:26

I've applied to both a non religious nursery and a catholic nursery. We are atheists however after looking at performance in the schools in our area, we decided a catholic education would give our son the best chance. My questions are;

How is science taught?
How is sex education addressed?
Are other religions discussed?

Although catholic schools in our area have better results than non faith schools, I'm obviously a little worried about how they'd teach subjects religion may have a different view of.

OP posts:
toffee1000 · 24/04/2017 19:54

It's 50/50 for my local C of E school. That's how I got a place at it- an "open" place as opposed to a "foundation" one.

BarneyRumbleton · 24/04/2017 20:25

I'm surprised at how little praying DS does in primary. Assembly 3x week, RE 2xweek. That's it. They don't even say grace at dinner time 😲

When I was at school we said the Hail Mary after register morning and afternoon, grace at lunch, end of day prayers and whatever assembly had in store.

Original poster
Chappers868 · 24/04/2017 21:41

Wow!! Not once did I say I was complaining about religion being taught. I actually want my son to be educated about all religions so he can be repspectful of others as well as choose his own path regarding his faith. Although atheist, we have looked at different schools, including primary and secondary, and taking into account the results they achieve. In our particular area, the higher achieving schools happen to be catholic. Am I a bad mum for wanting this for my child??
I know if he is accepted into catholic school, I will be respectful and supportive of the teaching methods the school impose. So comments regarding an atheist applying for catholic school etc isn't appreciated. I, just a mum who is wanting the best for her child!
Thanks to those who actually answered my questions. I really do appreciate the info!

OP posts:
BarneyRumbleton · 24/04/2017 22:01

It seems there's quite a big difference from school to school. I'll be honest, if I wasn't Catholic I'd consider a catholic education if admissions allowed, because I like the focus on morality and being a good person. Discipline tends to be good too, which makes for a better learning environment.
Best you can do is look, and ask the questions.

KindDogsTail · 24/04/2017 22:05

Catholics don't teach Creationism. That teaching may sometimes come from born again or fundamentalist Christians.

Deadsouls · 24/04/2017 22:06

Maybe it depends on the area in which you live and whether there are a good selection of schools. Where I am there happen to be a number of good secular schools.

Maybe be aware of the admissions policy moving forward. Getting into a nursery often does not guarantee a place in reception.
You'd have to check the admissions criteria and whether this is based on faith requirements: such as baptism, attendance at church for a certain amount of years and so on, some require a letter also from the (I'm really sorry I don't know if it's a priest or a vicar). So it's worth bearing this in mind.

Deadsouls · 24/04/2017 22:08

Also maybe also worth considering, as an atheist, how to tackle things like when you child comes homes talking about the resurrection at Easter and so on, prayers etc. What you will say about that?

junglebookisthebest · 24/04/2017 22:14

i know you didn't ask but if you stay in catholic education system then you may get some pressure from your kids - I think particularly if you have a girl around first communion time.
I'm a lapsed catholic, and could not bring myself to baptise my DD to get her into our best local school which is catholic. However I have already squared off my morals that if she wants to do her first holy communion with everyone else in her class, have that special day and fancy dress then I will let her do it and that will mean she needs to get baptised. (I remember it being a fab day and I really did feel like a princess and special in my lovely white dress)

Wellmeetontheledge · 24/04/2017 22:22

I teach in a catholic school as a non catholic and find it a lovely environment :)

However to get in you usually need confirmation of baptism and a vote of support from the parish priest.

RancidOldHag · 24/04/2017 22:26

"I know if he is accepted into catholic school...."

Your OP says you have applied for a Catholic nursery

This is not the same as applying for a school as there is (usually) no automatic admission from nursery class to reception (it used to be totally banned until very recently, and it remains uncommon).

What are the reception admission criteria? Do you stand a chance of receiving an offer?

Original poster
Chappers868 · 25/04/2017 08:38

We've applied to a catholic school and should hear this week if he has been accepted. We understand baptised children, children of the catholic faith or even other faiths will get first refusal.. he may not even be accepted but we're hoping they take a percentage of children from a non religious background (their admissions criteria say they accept a small amount of children of no faith with parent who wish them to have a catholic education)
We've discussed how we'd approach the subject if he were to come home discussing Easter, Christmas etc... we've said we'll be honest in saying we don't believe (we don't want to lie to him) however we'll be supportive of what the school teach and if he chooses to believe. If he were to go to church, communion etc we would support him and make him as included as he wishes to be. For us, the morals they teach and the respect of others is fantastic...even seeing children from this school compared to others, the difference in how they interact with each other is vast!

OP posts:
KindDogsTail · 25/04/2017 14:19

Good luck Chapper.
The thing is that even when you do not believe in these they can all be symbolical at least of some thing special and good.

RancidOldHag · 25/04/2017 21:54

"their admissions criteria say they accept a small amount of children of no faith with parent who wish them to have a catholic education"

Is that a set quota, or just the wording of the lowest of the admissions criteria?

And even if you are offered a nursery place, does that feature in the admissions criteria for the main school? Because yes, you will have to apply again for Reception.

Original poster
Chappers868 · 26/04/2017 10:46

I'm aware we'll have to apply again for reception and if he's given a place at nursery it doesn't guarantee him a place in reception

OP posts:
Sostenueto · 26/04/2017 11:01

Don't know what catholic schools everyone's going to but my gdd went to Catholic primary and is now in Catholic high school. She is an atheist through her own choosing though christened catholic the same as all her family. Prayers 4 times a day...nonsense not in her primary. Mass once a month in school only, assembly twice a week which was mainly for awards and announcements and a full sex education curriculum. You didn't gave to be catholic in either school, there is a wide range if religions and the head boy at high school is an atheist. Don't listen to nonsense, a prayer never hurt anyone and IRS the ethos you want and the emphasis on love thy neighbour every child needs. That is why faith schools are leaders in education, they teach respect for each other, otherwise send them to a non religious school and put up with the bullying and bad ethos, up to you, just because its a faith school you flnt gave to be that religion as my gdd shows, but what she has took on board was the ethics of respecting others and treated everyone as equal no matter what religion, colour or creed, believer or not.

KindDogsTail · 26/04/2017 14:05

they teach respect for each other,
Yes.

And the message God loves you whoever you are, even when someone is an atheist, is still a very nice message for the children to get.

Deadsouls · 27/04/2017 23:09

And the message God loves you whoever you are, even when someone is an atheist, is still a very nice message for the children to get.

Really? Even if someone is atheist...how very self righteous. This is why I'm an atheist

KindDogsTail · 27/04/2017 23:46

Perhaps I dod not explain that very well Deadsouls
If a child who does not believe in God happened to be at a school where at assembly the children might be told something like God loved the world so he sent his son; or God loves you no matter what - that child might feel that they were in loving surroundings even if the bit about God was not to be taken as literally true..

I hope you aren't atheist because you find people like me self righteous, but because of all the reasons why you think the idea of God does not make sense to you.

Sostenueto · 28/04/2017 00:14

Here here! Kinddogstail!

toffee1000 · 28/04/2017 03:51

So non-religious schools are full of bullying and a bad ethos? And this NEVER occurs in faith schools?
What utter bullshit Sostenueto.

Glastokitty · 28/04/2017 04:52

I had to send my non-Catholic child to a Catholic school when we moved to Ireland, as we didn't have a lot of choice! I wouldn't do it again. The amount of time they spent preparing for Confirmation etc was ridiculous, and obviously in our case, a total waste of time. Thankfully it was enough to put my child off religion for life and he is now much happier in a secular school (in another country).

Glastokitty · 28/04/2017 04:55

And it is perfectly possible to teach morals, respect and good behaviour without including religion.

hippyhippyshake · 28/04/2017 07:14

I think people who believe that non-faith schools are amoral etc have been brainwashed. Again.

Deadsouls · 28/04/2017 07:21

kinddogs

I am an atheist for many reasons. I used the self righteousness to make a point.

Sostenueto · 28/04/2017 07:24

TOFFEE the 4 high schools in our town are all failing, all state schools. Last week a girl hung herself through bullying, one of 4 in the last year. The schools are so bad that there is a high % that ship their children out of our town like my gdd who has a journey of 35 miles each way to towns and the city because of the problems in the non faith schools in the town. There is Also a higher % home schooled for the sane reason, so, yes in my experience there are more bullying in these schools.