Catholic primary school

[geojojo]

Currently in the process of choosing a primary school for my ds. There are two schools near us which I think he could get into as both were undersubscribed last year. The others are all less safe bets. I have visited them both and preferred the Catholic one but feel a bit uncomfortable choosing it as we are not Catholic. Would you? If your child attends one how do you think it influences teaching and learning?

You really shouldn't choose a Catholic school if you're not Catholic.
The ethos runs through everything that is taught, the dc have lessons for FHC, you'll be expected to attend special Mass etc.
Think hard, don't be a parent who opts for a church school then complains about the religious element.

I am a practising Christian and would never complain about the religious ethos after deliberately choosing a school. I was asking to see others' experience and your answer has confirmed I would not feel comfortable so won't choose it. We are in the situation where our catchment school is heavily over-subscribed so considering all others local to us.

I went to a catholic school. Muslim family. I really enjoyed it and benefitted from it. The religious teachings were very critical with a strong emphasis on catholic values in a general sense (including how this related to non catholics) and analytical bible study (so Jesus May have metaphorically risen rather than literally, the flood story exists in xyz mythologies as well, the symbolism of the bible stories etc). It was a fantastic educational opportunity and help me leave my (rather oppressive) religion. I would recommend finding out what they actually teach before jumping to conclusions.

DD went to a catholic primary school and is at a catholic secondary school.

We are not practicing Catholic in fact DP is atheist.

Best decision ive ever made. The Catholic values dd has been taught have been fantastic. She isn't "religious" per se but involved herself in the choir and regularly attends mass at school but never out of school. She gets alot from it.

She has absolutely flourished and I think it has alot to do with the ethos.

Yes they teach Catholicism principally but they learn about other faiths. RE is a compulsory GCSE subject but i actually think it teaches philosophical thinking and promotes analysis so it has a value even If not religious.

Oh okay, those answers are more reassuring. I really liked the school, the feel and atmosphere so would be a shame to completely discount it. I just don't want my ds to be taught things as fact that I don't believe. Maybe I'll email the school to see how it influences the curriculum.

Our DC go to a Catholic school and we are practising Christians but not Catholic. It's a lovely school and they get a 'Christian' education, even going to mass every week, whilst also knowing that we don't 'do church' like that iykwim. DS is in year 6 and he was the only one in his year who didn't do the Holy Communion prep back in year 3 and it just wasn't an issue. They learn about other aspects of the RC faith eg the Pope etc but it really just isn't a problem.

Obviously different RC schools can be stricter on the Catholic side I assume? Perhaps have a chat with the Head and see what they say but overall it's been a really positive experience for us :)

Catholic schools vary. Some are very religious, others less so. Some non-faith schools are more religious than some Catholic schools.

What do you think they might teach as fact that you don't believe?

I suppose it's things like the Pope being appointed by God, we should worship Mary and the saints, we need to confess our sins to a priest... obviously these things wouldn't explicitly be taught at a primary school but perhaps would be seen as normal? I'm not even sure really. I suppose being a Christian there are things I don't agree with in Catholicism and am just wondering how far these would penetrate the curriculum and school life.

If those things crop up at all it should be in RE and assembly. You can, if you wish, withdraw your child from those activities. However, you may well find that the school keeps away from these things or talks about them in a "Catholics believe" way. I would suggest talking to the head to find out the school's approach.

I have the impression that these things vary hugely from one catholic school to another.

Not always easy to find out beforehand though. Can you speak to any parents who have children at the school already?

My DC go to a catholic primary. Though only a small minority of the teachers are catholic, the whole school life feels VERY catholic. I'm non-catholic Christian (reformed/protestant) and find it weird that at every parents info meeting they start with a prayer, and if you don't make the sign of the cross you stand out. They also 2x/day call upon Saints to 'pray for us' which is something I'd never do. In the month of May (I think) the children are asked to have a rosary at school every day and they pray the rosary regularly. Of course children don't have to join in with these activities - the non-christian children at the school just sit quietly during the four daily prayers. But those children who e.g. memorise the Hail Mary first get extra praise, those children who volunteer to be prayer lead get commendation from the head teacher, the religious aspects are such a big part of the school life that those children who aren't Christian, and to some extent also those who are non-catholic Christian, can never really be a fully included member of the school community. Which I think is a shame.

But that is our school. It needn't be that way and especially in an undersubscribed school, where you'd expect a fair number of non-catholic children, I would think that they would handle things better.

If you have further children, check the admissions policy with regards to siblings. If this school really is good (your feeling says it is), it might suddenly become very popular, oversubscribed, and your younger child might not get a place - if they prioritise catholics over non-catholic siblings.

Confession will be explicitly taught in year 4 because of doing first holy communion

That was Y3 at our school. But preparing for FHC was outside of school, in a large group that included catholic children from other schools.

But it is a community thing. The whole class was buzzing about their FHC, giving each other gifts, inviting each other to their celebrations, comparing dresses. The teachers came along and celebrated with them. And the parish priest visits the school regularly to take confessions/hold mass. You obviously don't have to go to confession at school if you don't want to, but it will be noticed.

Again, it depends on the school.

Catholics don't worship Mary or the saints!

Are you even eligible for entry to the school?
Lots of Catholic primaries need recommendation letters from the parish priest to confirm lifelong attendance at chapel.

Clangus, OP said the school was undersubscribed last year. That means they must offer the places they haven't filled (with people who have letters from the priest or similar) to anyone who wants them.

brilliotic that sounds quite full on and a lot I wouldn't feel comfortable with so thank you, I'll find that out.

Yes I also have those concerns about admissions. I managed to get the numbers from the council for the last few years and while it was under subscribed for the last couple of years it wasn't the year before that and all types of Catholic are placed above siblings so I would be concerned my dd wouldn't get a place.

Sorry, for some reasons I thought they did worship them! They pray to them though, don't they?

I know a few parents who are not Catholic with children at the school. Not well (on my road) but will try to ask them about some of my concerns.

Its a common misconception. True, Catholics pray to Mary and the saints, but do not worship them. dowym.com/voices/catholics-pray-mary/

My dd goes to a catholic primary school.
we're not catholic, but we're practising christians and regular church goers (our tradition is high anglican, so still catholic in style)

We chose the school because of its Every Child Matters ethos, the fact they don't teach children for tests (although their test results are consistenly excellent), that they have a wonderful community ethos, and the general feel of the school is wonderful.
I've not been disappointed. DD is now in year 3, and the school and its staff, pupils and families are still lovely.
And DD is taught religion in a catholic sense (still learning about other faiths), which is useful for us in our own faith, because she believes in God and it's just accepted, normal and totally fine in a catholic school

DD attends a Catholic school despite us not being of the faith. The school is actually very welcoming of children of all faiths and none. Teaching of subjects isn’t any different - the school still has to follow the same curriculum as any other school.

There is Mass, prayers are included in RE however sacrament preparation is in the parish rather than at school in DD’s school. We actually went along to Mass on the day that most of her class had their First Holy Communion. It was a lovely day and we were made very welcome. She is adamant that she is an atheist though so there’s no hard sell.....

We chose the school because of the ethos, the nurturing and inclusive atmosphere, the community feel and the range of opportunities. As she’s prepared to move to secondary next year, I have no regrets. She’s had a fantastic time at primary school and well prepared for the next chapter in her life. So I would say ask the questions about how much religion is included in the day to day life before you commit, but if it feels like the right school for your child, don’t discount it solely because of the religious element.

My DS attends a catholic primary, it’s over subscribed but we got in because we live on the same street so we were the closest distance (after catholic’s were given preference)

We are not at all religious. But, DS loves it, the catholic elements are very generic and seem more about kindness and values (he’s Year1). They do pray before assembly and lunch etc, there is weekly mass and family mass at the weekend and some children (less than half) get Confirmed etc but it’s really not in your face and there’s no problem if you don’t go or go but sit through the prayers without making the cross etc. I’ve found no disadvantage from being non catholic so far,m. He does come home singing hymns or saying he has learnt about Mary, or a new saint but it’s in a very “primary” gentle way.

He also talks about Diwali, about other religions and other cultures so they don’t do focus just on Catholicism.

If you like the school, don’t rule it out without looking into the schools expectations a bit more. I’m really glad I sent DS.

Both of mine have gone through catholic primary and secondary. I'm not catholic. Dh's family is. I've been very happy with my choice.

My dc spent a a few years at a catholic primary school, we are firm atheists and didn't pretend otherwise but dc were happy there.
One dc was thoroughly put off the religion by having to sit through long masses the other I could see trying to join if we had stayed longer to fit in.

I don't think it's an issue as long as you're on board with the ethos. What you don't want is to be one of those parents who sends your child to a Catholic school then sees their arse because it does what it says on the tin and teaches them about the faith, so if you really can't accept that then I wouldn't send him. But there will in all probability be non-Catholics there if it's undersubscribed.