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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Should i say something?

73 replies

Floandno · 06/10/2010 16:11

My 4yo has just started at a CofE school. Not our first choice, as we are both avid humanists, but it was the best one that we had a chance of getting into. Very nice school, very nice teachers, all good.
So, today was harvest festival. He came out of school saying that his teacher told him that God created everything. I obviously tried to explain to him that lots of people believe lots of different things about how everything was created and that was just her opinion, but because his teacher said it, he of course now believes the same. I'm absolutely furious. Not really about what he believes, thats his choice and of course we support him, but more so about it being taught this as though it was an incontrovertible fact. I feel like i'm totally overreacting, but at the same time, i think it's so wrong that they're teaching religion as fact and not belief. I feel like they're lying to him.
Should i say something? I'm so torn!

OP posts:

HumphreyCobbler · 06/10/2010 16:13

It is a C of E school. What on earth were you expecting?

amberleaf · 06/10/2010 16:14

Its a church school!!

of course they are going to tell him that!

HumphreyCobbler · 06/10/2010 16:14

Sorry realised that was a bit blunt.

Just explain your viewpoint and don't make too much of it. He will soon grow out of thinking the teacher is always right.

I wouldn't say anything to the school.

PixieOnaLeaf · 06/10/2010 16:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Tippychoocks · 06/10/2010 16:17

It's a CoE School. He will also have been singing songs thanking God for creating everything. What did you think they would do?
Just tell him that it's a bit different to what you believe and that lots of people have different ideas about how the world was made.

stillconfused · 06/10/2010 16:20

I think you also have to realise that most children at that age will believe everything their teacher says and take it in a very literal manner.

MaudOHara · 06/10/2010 16:20

Sorry I agree with the others - a church school will have a christian ethos - I just explain to my DC that everyone has different beliefs.

JoBettany · 06/10/2010 16:22

As other posters have said a C of E school, by its very nature is a religious school and therefore there will be lots of times that you will disagree, as a humanist, in the future. I would imagine especially around the times of major Christian festivals.

All you can do if you want your DC to stay at the school is talk about your own beliefs. There are good children's books now about the Big Bang and so on.

I personally feel it would be pointless to complain to the school. It is not a non denominational school but a church school which you have willingly sent your DC to.

Original poster

Floandno · 06/10/2010 16:24

Ok, good point!
I was told by plenty of people that C of E schools didn't reallly teach religion in this way. Aparently i've been misinformed!
Let me just explain our school choice. We live in a town with about 12 schools. Two are non religious and out of our catchment area.
Is it really that much to ask that they provide a broader opinion of things!?

OP posts:

myredcardigan · 06/10/2010 16:26

At least she didn't tell him last April that many years ago St George fought a dragon.
I was at my friend's house when her DS2 came home and told her this. Her DS1 (Y6) confirmed it albeit with rolled eyes.

For me, it was another benefit of opted for an indie school.

PixieOnaLeaf · 06/10/2010 16:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

JoBettany · 06/10/2010 16:29

It probably a bit much to expect a church school not to teach their fundamental beliefs.

You can provide the counter balance to that point of view at home.

HumphreyCobbler · 06/10/2010 16:30

I would be glad if my child was taught the legend of St George and the Dragon. It is part of our cultural heritage.

DreamTeamGirl · 06/10/2010 16:30

Agree with HumphreyCobbler St George's story is a fabulous one!!!

Anenome · 06/10/2010 16:31

It is too much to ask that they provide a broader opinion....it's a COFE school! When the kids are a little older they will certainly teach about other religions. As an "avid humanist" you might have considered some research rather than relying on other people's reports.

SauvignonBlanche · 06/10/2010 16:31

It's a CoE school they believe in God as a fact.

myredcardigan · 06/10/2010 16:32

Look, I have every sympathy in you live in the sticks and your only local school is CofE. It's not fair that you have that or nothing. However, if you have quite a choice locally but you opted for the CofE school based on OFSTED report or similar then you've got to accept it's only doing what it says on the tin. But as was mentioned, he will learn about other religions during RE even though the general ethos will be CofE.

Original poster

Floandno · 06/10/2010 16:33

Ohh, i'm looking forward to that day! Starting to wish we had that luxury myredcardigan!

OP posts:

myredcardigan · 06/10/2010 16:34

It may well be a fabulous story but it's a story nonetheless. It most certainly is not a historical fact and the teacher giving the assembly should not have told the children, 'a long time ago...'

Pernickety · 06/10/2010 16:35

Floandno - I am against any kind of state funded faith school, so share your disgruntled feelings over this issue.

My daughter was told similar things by her non-faith school. I was somewhat bemused by the very graphic, gruesome picture she drew one easter of the crucifixion. There was a lot of blood.

I feel I have had to work very hard to get her to consider other points of view. There is a lovely book on evolution for young children called Life Story here and we also have a book of Creation stories from around the world. These might help.

HumphreyCobbler · 06/10/2010 16:43

Good god, do you offer a caveat everytime you read them a story?

Once upon a time (but not really, it is just a STORY).....

They will learn to separate legend/opinion/myth from history soon enough.

Pernickety · 06/10/2010 16:48

Is that directed at me?

emptyshell · 06/10/2010 16:48

It's a church school, run at least partially by the church... surprisingly - they educate kids in the way the church would want them educated, and shockingly, that includes that God stuff.

If you sent them there for convenience sake and want them to re-write the entire Christian belief/Church education system because they happened to be nearer you than the other school - ridiculous. Don't like it - put yourself out and send them elsewhere.

HumphreyCobbler · 06/10/2010 16:54

no, myredcardigan's post

Pernickety · 06/10/2010 16:55

Oh yes, I see that now.

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