Faith schools to become MORE selective ...

[jailhouserock]

See the original thread in the In the News section for details, but the Gvt is planning to remove the 50% faith admissions cap on new faith academies.

jailhouserock , I went to faith kindergarten in my country. It certainly had impact on what I am now.

My ds goes to normal primary, but when they are learning about christians, he started to talk about god made everything etc., which really freaked me out.
I'm sure teachers didn't say that, more like "they believe...", but for 4/5 years old, that's what they think. If it was religious school, those lesson might happen regularly, which might influence some children deeply.
That's what I am scared about.
I am a minority, and diversity is important, but not in that context.

Different legislation, different practice - if you had 15 vacancies and only 14 apply would you automatically recruit all? In employment you are selecting, not giving priority.

Silly example- you can't compare an undersubscribed job recruitment process and an oversubscribed school admission process.

So let's talk a job where I have 15 posts and 30 applicants. Let's say that conveniently there are 15 atheist applicants and 15 religious ones. And I select/prioritise/discriminate in favour of (choose your terminology) purely on the basis of their religion.

I doubt you'd find that acceptable.

he started to talk about god made everything etc., which really freaked me out

Rather than being freaked out, it sounds like a perfect opportunity to talk to him about what you believe, explain to him that people believe different things, and tell him that he will gradually decide what he believes as he gets older.

If it was religious school, those lesson might happen regularly

So, more opportunities to talk about it at home and help your child to put what they're being told in context. So long as you (and the school) encourage open discussion, and make it clear that it's ok to ask questions, then there is nothing to fear. Problems arise when children are told to keep their opinions to themselves, usually by parents who were told the same by their own parents when they were at school. MEanwhile in the classroom things have moved on - schools have to respect the differing views, and everyone benefits from hearing them expressed.

That is another reason why I think open admissions to faith schools are important. Yes, the majority may still be "of the faith", but everyone benefits from the presence of people with different views.

Thank you, jailhouserock.
I may have a different view from you, still, your thought was quite inspirational.

For anyone who feels strongly about the proposed removal of the 50% cap on prioritising children by evidence of faith in new schools, here is the consultation that you need to respond to ....

consult.education.gov.uk/school-frameworks/schools-that-work-for-everyone

As mentioned before, it is also worth writing to your MP, to let them know how you feel.