What should I know about Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School?

[cherryblossoming]

DS might start Reception at a Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School this September. Due to a over-subscription in schools stated on application we have been allocated a place at the catholic school. Now I am a bit scared as I do not know what to expect. Are they too strict these days? How would you compare a Catholic Voluntary Aided school to C of E Voluntary Aided school? I just do not know what to expect.
Thank you so much.

Op catholic schools come in range of how religious they are, how well they are managed, and in the range of children that attend. Just like any other school.

However, if you're not catholic, haven't selected the shool, and have only just learned your DC has been allocated a place there, then I think it would be entirely reasonable to contact the school on Monday, explain the circumstances, and try to get a quick visit in before they break up next week.

My DCs have attended 2 different catholic primary schools, and what we have noticed compared to other local primaries, is that in both cases the catholic primary is stricter with a more traditional uniform.

The Christian faith is promoted, and (I think) 10% of lesson time is given to RE. In RE the children look at other religions, but mainly the catholic faith, and learn about the church year and the sacraments. all at a level appropriate for their age.
So eg, the children learn about advent (preparing for Christmas), the nativity, etc. of course, while they are learning this, they are still reading,writing, drawing, acting, and sharing.

My DCs ended up in a catholic primary under much the same circumstances. My eldest is in year 1 and alongside his maths and language book he has a holy book. He is asked to write bible stories in his own words from what I can tell.

They pray a lot too and have a weekly mass. A priest comes in regularly.

The school is quite diverse and we are not the only non Catholics. We had the nursery and reception end of year show this week and I didn't notice any religion at all.

My younger son has embraced all the talk about Mary. He adores hearing about her and Jesus and likes to make crosses out of Lego. My eldest is pretty sceptical about God creating the world in seven days so I do talk to him about alternative theories.

As a school there is a wonderful, family feel and everyone is very caring but I suspect that isn't a Catholic thing.

I'm very happy with how things have turned out for us.

my son and my youngest brother and sister are at a Catholic voluntary aided Primary school (son and sister just finishing year 4, brother just finishing year 5).

The school is fantastic and very supportive. In his school they have hymn practice once a week and mass on holy days of obligation, once a week in lent and advent and at the start of term, they also have masses at the church for christmas eve, easter sunday and mothers day, but these are optional. They also say grace every day.

The school rules are very much based on just generally being a nice child and say things like 'i will be nice to other children' and 'i will be helpful' and at lent they are encouraged to do write and keep their lent promises (stuff like i promise to put my toys away without being asked). The infants Christmas plays and yr 3/4's easter plays are obviously very religious but are generally quite cute and funny with lots of terrible jokes worked in, yr 5/6 end of year play is not religious at all

His school don't spend a massive amount of time on RE as a subject but they often work bible stories and morals into the other lessons and they have the option of going to the chapel for rosary at certain times in the year and in year 3 the children who go to church regularly have some extra classes if they are doing their first communion.

The catholic school they are at is the only 'outstanding' rated school in the area so has a lot of non-catholics there (as in at least 1 in 3 children are not catholic) and even more who go to mass for a few months before admission to get the child in then only appear at school masses once their child has started.

Their school is quite strict on important things like being nice to each other and trying your best in lessons but imo all schools should be.

They aren't amazingly strict on uniform (except girls shoes being sensible) and their uniform is a jumper, polo shirt and trousers/skirt so no different to most primaries.

All in all it's a pretty amazing school.

Many thanks for the replies! I think I might be all right with this school. A little it of discipline would not hurt .
My older DS got an offer from a C of E voluntary aided primary but both schools are going to be more than 2 miles apart with only me bringing them to work due to my husband starting his work early.To me it would be impossible to bring them on time. There is no public transport going from one school to another and I do not drive. The younger one is too young to go on a school bus. He needs to get used to the school before I can let him go on school bus. He would be crying and distressed. So I am thinking to find out whether my older one could attend catholic school as well. Currently it is full.
I have checked the timetable for older children at the Catholic school and they do have like 30 min daily something religious: prayers, mass, singing etc. It would be up until 15.30. The children need to arrive around 8.40.

I guess both schools will be similar in terms of religious upbringing. Just one protestant and another one is catholic. The latter is bigger but with a bigger play ground and an easier access to the town.
Both schools are very proud of their pupils' behaviour. The sats results are also similar but the headteacher of the c of e school scares me as she is very cold when she talks. She is polite but you feel uneasy talking to her, kind of unwelcome.
I cannot visit the catholic school before the holidays due to living in another part of the country. Unfortunately.

I have read somewhere here on mumsnet that pupils write a lot stories from the bible in catholic schools. Is it true if anyone knows?

Thanks again. I both excited and scared :))

DS's school have written a few stories from the bible at Easter or Christmas but I wouldn't say its a lot, I can only remember him having done 4 so far (he's one of these kids who likes to tell me everything hes done each day) so that's only 1 each year since he's been able to write.

I've not got much experience of C of E schools but dh is protestant and to be honest as far as i can see there doesn't seem to be a massive difference in the basic morals and teachings at primary school age, except for Mary playing far more of a role in Catholicism and the sacraments. The big differences are when you are older and get on to things like contraception and marriage and looking deeper into the church.

on a practical level once your child is in the school, they might be able to find the older child a place because of the sibling rule.