Non-Catholic at a Catholic school?

[MooBaaLaLaLa]

We are looking at a Catholic primary school for DS but we aren't Catholic ourselves. (Vaguely CofE but not much)

Apart from meaning we stand less chance of getting in, I wondered if there were any other issues with being at a faith school where your family don't practice that faith. Has anyone any experience please?

I sent my non-Catholic child to a Catholic primary school. I'm in Scotland, so it might be slightly different to where you are. It was the best thing I ever did for her and I wish I had done it earlier. She decided that she wanted to become a Catholic, but as she had been attending church and Sunday School since she was a small child, I wasn't entirely surprised and I was quite happy for her to go ahead and do it. There were a few children who attended that school who weren't religious and it didn't seem to cause any issues that I could see. DD's cousin was one of them, although he had thankfully left before she started.

Thanks for your reply @LittleCandle, that's really interesting and positive.
Did your DD get baptised and everything then?

She had been baptised as a baby, so didn't need to be baptised again, but she was confirmed and went on to become an altar server and even served at a huge mass in Lourdes (standing out as the only server in a red alb).

DD is at a RC primary and we are not catholic. The ratio at her school is 60:40 in favour of baptised vs non-baptised children.

We haven’t had any issues. It’s been good for her to get exposure to different faiths as there’s very little at home. She proclaims herself to be an atheist so there’s no indoctrination happening. There’s actually a really broad mix of faiths and nationalities with her school making it very clear that they welcome children of all faiths and none.

She does attend mass and again no problems. Sex Ed also seems to be fine and comprehensive. The one time I thought there could have been a problem was when it came to 1st Holy Communion but, only 10 in her class did it and all the prep was done at church and not in school.

I suspect it may vary significantly from school to school. My nieces/newphew went to a Catholic Primary - all the children there were baptised/practising Catholics and every child did 1st Holy Communion. I think a non Catholic would have felt uncomfortable there (had they been able to get in of course...)

I think you need to get to know the individual school and then decide if it’s right for you/your child

I think it will depend very much on the school itself. My little brother had to walk about of school mass a couple of times when things against gay marriage were read out or talks about pro-life vigils you could attend. These didn't match our values as a family. It didn't cause much of an issue walking out but it was a detention offence. This was secondary level though

Thanks so much for your replies, they've answered lots of my questions.
I think it is a great school but I don't know too much about Catholicism so might have to do my homework if he gets in! 🤞🏻

@Grasspigeons, that's interesting. I don't think I'd fancy a Catholic secondary school for those reasons but figured primary shouldn't be too much of an issue as far as sex ed.
I'm all in favour of gay marriage and definitely pro-contraception!

My DS goes to a Catholic school and he says half the kids are atheists! DS is raised Catholic but believes what he wants, no pressure from school. As for @grasspigeons comment, its nothing like that at DS secondary. If anything they are extra liberal. Teacher was encouraging kids to visit Gay Pride lol!

I also have a DS at a CofE Primary and it is very pushy re religion. They wont even call a yoga class yoga because apparently it goes against Christian beliefs and children were discouraged from discussing anything against the schools' beliefs; the teacher even misinformed children of basic history!