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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

Has anyone removed their child from collective worship?

56 replies

playmobilpeacock · 20/03/2017 18:35

I'm considering removing my child from collective worship after they came home and declared that 'god is definitely real, they tell us every week.'

Once a week there is a special assembly run by the local (evangelical) church and it's this assembly that I want them removing from.

I'm looking to hear the experience of anyone who has taken this step.

OP posts:

sonlypuppyfat · 20/03/2017 18:37

I wouldn't want to be stood outside the assembly hall just because it pisses my parents off

Blossomdeary · 20/03/2017 18:37

I do know of parents who have done this. If it were me I would do it.

Friolero · 20/03/2017 18:46

I considered this for my DS but decided against it. He's very shy and doesn't like being singled out, and I thought he would hate to be taken out on his own. We're atheists so when he first started school, I just said that some people think god's real and some people think it's pretend, and that he could make his own mind up. He quickly decided god's not real!

HillysChair · 20/03/2017 18:48

Yes. All 3 of them. They don't give a stuff what anyone thinks and actually their mates are jealous because they miss prayers and singing.

When the vicar comes they get to play board games or go out in the playground. There's a big group of them (about 13) atheists, muslims, Jews and JW. A little mixed faith group!

Reow · 20/03/2017 18:50

I would pull them.

QuackDuckQuack · 20/03/2017 19:06

Do you know any like minded parents? It might be easier for them to skip assembly as a little group.

The British Humanist Association provides support for this type of thing - you could look on their website.

Original poster

playmobilpeacock · 20/03/2017 19:11

I'm glad to hear others have taken this step. My child is very happy and confident in school and I can't imagine they'd care if they missed this one assembly.

It's not because it pisses me off puppyfat it's because they are talking in absolutes. I tell my children that different people believe different things but the school are saying there is a god therefore those who don't believe are wrong.

I am staunchly atheist but I don't force that thinking onto my children although I'd like to so I feel like this is a bit unfair.

I'm interested in the experience of those who have thought about doing this or have done it.

OP posts:

sonlypuppyfat · 20/03/2017 21:10

Tricky one isn't it my DH is an atheist, me I'm a Sunday school teacher who absolutely believes in Jesus . We have some cracking discussions

mouldycheesefan · 21/03/2017 13:53

Check whether that means they are also excluded from all religious activity including xmas and Easter.

Campfiresmoke · 21/03/2017 15:49

Can I ask a question to aethiests please? I think it's perfectly natural to teach your children what you think/believe but how can your children make up their own minds if you impose your views on them? It sounds as though you wouldn't let your children have a faith.

nat73 · 21/03/2017 15:49

I guess as long as you are happy for them to opt out of Xmas and Easter as well its a good idea ;-).

RoccoW14 · 21/03/2017 16:10

Campfiresmoke - if all faiths were represented equally and objectively, I don't think many atheists would have an issue. But when one faith is rammed down your child's throat as fact, it's likely far from ideal for most parents of other faiths and none.

I think the more appropriate question though is, why do religious parents not want their children to explore all faiths and none before they decide what is right for them?

missyB1 · 21/03/2017 16:18

is this a faith school? Im assuming it might be because a minister comes in, if so why on earth did you choose it?

Original poster

playmobilpeacock · 21/03/2017 16:30

It is not a faith school but has a close relationship with the he local church.

As an atheist I think I'm bringing my children up to question all beliefs, including my own.

If you are religious surely you are 'forcing' your ideas on your children too.

There seems to be a smug tone to your post nat73. As you think it's amusing that a young child would be excluded because they come from a different background?

And for what it's worth, I removed them from the Christmas church service and we will not be attending the Easter one either.

I'm not an atheist to be awkward

OP posts:

missyB1 · 21/03/2017 16:43

I just find it so odd that so many parents get so her up about the religious side of education, they also take their child's version of what is said as gospel (no pun intended!) OP have you attended any of these assemblies?

My 8 year old is at a CofE school and is currently studying Judaism in RS, they visited a Synagogue last week.

imthelastsplash · 21/03/2017 17:01

I'm also an atheist and work in a school. We have visiting Christians every week for assembly. They are by no means evangelical. A bit of a chat, a child appropriate bible story (usually something with a 'moral') then a prayer - all of our visitors always say something along the lines of 'if you agree say amen, or use this quiet time to think about (whatever the assembly was about). It is law that schools have a daily act of Christian worship. Most don't. Perhaps have a word with the school about getting a selection of visitors in that are perhaps less evangelical. My dd has been left to make her own mind up (DP is a Christian) and she's pretty ambivalent to it all at 11.

Original poster

playmobilpeacock · 21/03/2017 17:13

I know the vicar and the family minister so I know their beliefs.

I have been to an assembly. I also do believe my child as there are talking about things that they would never hear at home.

I am aware of the law around 'a broadly Christian daily act of worship' and I spoke to the HT before my child started school.

If I were a Christian or Muslim would people be so dismissive of my concerns? Why as an atheist are my beliefs seen as less deserving of respect?

I have no objection to RE lessons either . There's a difference between education and instruction.

I am actually a fairly intelligent and engaged parent, not just randomly looking for something to moan about.

I started this thread to see if other parents have removed their child, not so people could test my beliefs

OP posts:

imthelastsplash · 21/03/2017 17:44

I'm sorry I didn't mean that as a criticism in any way. It is entirely your choice if you remove them. In our primary (ks1 - nearly 300 pupils) there are 3 that don't participate. Ask the school what the provision is for if they don't attend. Due to the small percentage of children that don't do assembly at the school I work I'm afraid they tend to be sat in a corridor with a book. Someone else said earlier that their child gets to run around on the playground. All schools treat this differently but no good school would think anything of you withdrawing them. I apologise if I missed the point on my last post

DandelionFluff · 21/03/2017 17:57

We removed DS from Religious Observance when he was at primary school - was no bother at all, same for removing DD from her primary school this year. Just dropped a quick note to the head so they had it in writing.

Asked DS if he wanted to be removed again when he started secondary school, but he said they dont really do RO so he's not so bothered.

DevelopingDetritus · 21/03/2017 18:08

I think it'll do more harm than good, isolating them like that. Try and have confidence in yourself and give your children some credit.

MissGoggins · 21/03/2017 18:16

Why as an atheist are my beliefs seen as less deserving of respect?

I think there is a group of very evangelical extremists atheists who believe badly, and this causes your persecution. It's the same when you belong to any religious group.

If it's any comfort to you I disrespect all organised religion equally.

Original poster

playmobilpeacock · 21/03/2017 18:32

Hear, hear MissGoggins

I don't think they'll be isolated at all. They are a very confident and popular child and I can't see this being an issue.

I'm going to ask if they can be removed from this one assembly rather than the short daily ones. I'm going to suggest that I collect them from school early on that day. The headteacher is fairly accommodating although completely lied to me about the amount of worship that happens

I have lots of confidence in myself and my child. Which is probably why I'm considering it. I have no need to constantly fit in and I don't raise my children to follow a flock either

OP posts:

QuackDuckQuack · 21/03/2017 18:46

I've watched a local vicar do an assembly that seemed quite cute to begin with, but then veered off into telling 4 year olds that Jesus died for them. There was no 'some people believe preamble'. I wouldn't consider that to be appropriate for my child. But luckily that wasn't at my DD's school so I haven't withdrawn her from assembly. I haven't checked the content of the assemblies my DD attends, but she seems pretty sceptical anyway.

But I have no doubt that assemblies do happen in some schools that I wouldn't be happy with.

sonlypuppyfat · 21/03/2017 19:20

A vicar is not going to say some people believe Jesus died for them is he? As he knows that he did!

Original poster

playmobilpeacock · 21/03/2017 19:29

Which is exactly why I do not want delusional people teaching my child.

OP posts:

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