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?

We are not catholic or Christian, the dc are all in catholic school, 2 in primary and one at the secondary. We chose it for the feel of the school. It just had an all round more caring and holistic approach. Yes they do mass and liturgy etc but the school always recognises that not all children are practicing Catholics. Any first communion prep is after school.

Biggest choose to go on to the Catholic secondary with his mates. Middle has put a different school as her first choice but that's got nothing to do with the religious aspect.

I did really love the feel of it. It felt very calm and organised and the children were so polite and well behaved. It felt to me as if it offered a very holistic education. I'm not sure why it's under subscribed. It is quite big, 3 form entry, and there are some excellent other schools fairly nearby and maybe people presume they won't get in if not Catholic. I actually felt it would really suit my son as he is quiet and gets stressed in chaotic, busy environments. This reception seemed the calmest and most orderly that I have seen. But in every classroom there was a prayer table with icons and pictures of saints. I would also worry about not fully feeling part of the school community as wouldn't see other parents ion Sundays and wouldn't take part in the Catholic rites of passage, it's a hard decision.

Might be worth finding out how many are baptised vs not baptised. In DC’s school, it varies between 60/40 and 70/30 depending on the year and very few are actually regular church goers.

Yes I'll find out. Actually nobody in my group on the tour was Catholic and everyone said they loved it and would probably put it first. We would be above them in the criteria as we attend a church. It's between putting it and one I just didn't like that much 3rd (as almost certain we won't get into my first two choices). Feel quite conflicted.

My DH was Chair of governors and I was chair of the PTA at my DC's school for the past few years, we know that many people are put off a catholic school completely simply because they aren't catholic - some won't event entertain the idea, or may look around but their doubts, like yours, put them off.

I think only a few families at our tiny village school attend church regularly, and so even as a practising non-Catholic family we (and you) are probably more unusual than you think!

If you haven't spoken to the Head yet, I really would recommend you do so to see if they can help with some of your niggles.

I think there’s also a bit of a belief that if you aren’t Catholic you won’t get in which probably stops people putting it on the list too. It might be true in some areas, but I’m not sure it’s generally true across the whole country.

" 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 "

It would be worthwhile finding out and understanding the differences between Catholic Christian beliefs and Protestant Christian beliefs. Both are based on the same God and there are just a few different interpretations about what God meant and what is written on the bible. These different emphasises are often greatly misunderstood between the Christian churches.
So it is very interesting to understand where these different interpretations started ... was it the disciples and early church fathers, after the bible was initially compiled, during the middle ages or during/after the Reformation.
I think that at times there has been more emphasis on calling out the differences that are not really understood (maybe even intentionally).

In general , most faith schools will be open and welcoming to all denominations and none. I would go with my gut feel as the school atmosphere is so important for school life, and you can always help DC understand any faith differences that really go against your beliefs.