Not christened (Covid) so no school place?

[SteveyFluff]

My DS starts school in Sept 2022. So he’s the next cohort in line to apply and get a place. But I didn’t take him to church as a baby because I was exhausted and suffering PND and birth injuries. In fact I didn’t even get dressed and go out of the house because I was so bad. I thought I had plenty of time to sort it out when he was a bit older and I was coping better. He was just getting old enough to be able to attend church when Covid happened. So he still hasn’t been christened or ever attended church.

I’m CEV and have been vaccinated but don’t know when I’ll feel safe to do those things. Now I’m worried he won’t get into the Catholic school next year because he hasn’t been christened and I’m scared to go to church. I hadn’t thought about it much but the news about school offers this week has brought it to the front of my mind and now I’m worried.

@GreyhoundG1rl

Neither was over subscribed Their over subscription criteria doesn't kick in until they're actually oversubscribed, SJane, you'd have got a place whether you were a practising Catholic or not. Op is realistically only going to get a school place if the school isn't full, and she's only going to get the priest to baptise her child after a very obvious committment to the church prior to the ceremony. They don't do drive by's.

I think the conversation about ‘drive bys’ came up in the religion/philosophy section recently. ‘Drive by’ fine in lot of places.

Might be more of an issue in London than elsewhere. But then I think that might also be true of aspects of school admissions.

The OP needs to speak to the priest of her local church, explain her health situation and ask about a preparation for baptism course. Then she’ll know where she stands and only then will she know what that means for school admissions.

Might also be worth talking to your old priest where you were practicing before. Either a letter saying you practiced regularly there or having your child baptised there might also be a possibility.

Sorry but this doesn't wash with me and I doubt it will with the church either. I'm sure they've heard stories a million times to try and get kids into school. The fact is covid has made it easier to attend church because you can watch the services from home. So had you called them a year ago and explained your situation I think they may have sympathised but it's too late now. Also when you say your child is now old enough to attend church - babies attend church you don't have to be a certain age. I'm not doubting your mental health struggles but this is clearly about getting a school place - where was Dad during all this too? Only one parent has to attend