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Primary education

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Original poster

School Place

71 replies

Boymama83 · 08/03/2022 20:43

So my eldest goes up to secondary in September and has had an offer of a place at a local Catholic High School. The issue is my family are Protestant, like move from NI (Ulster) in 1972 Protestant. I have appealed and will wait for that but I've been checking out the school etc and can 100% hand up say this is without doubt a faith led school. They state that sex and social education will be taught in line with Catholic beliefs.....what do I do??? There are 2 other schools, one which we applied and didn't get and the other is a Grammar but eldest hasn't done 11plus.

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ChairCareOh · 08/03/2022 20:46

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at the user's request

Babymamamama · 08/03/2022 20:52

Did you put it down in your application form? Round my way we had five options and I didn’t put any faith schools down at all as I’m an atheist. Are you saying they are offering you a catholic school even when you didn’t request it?

gogohm · 08/03/2022 20:54

Was it on your list? If not you can appeal on the grounds of religion but remember many students won't really be Catholic.

Hellocatshome · 08/03/2022 21:09

You say your family are Protestant, are you Protestant? Is he Protestant? How is this only now becoming an issue for you, presumably you put the school on your preference form? I've never known anyone manage to accidentally get in a Catholic school.

Original poster
Boymama83 · 08/03/2022 21:10

Didn't apply for it, we have the option of 5, but I only put one as the other 2 are the grammar and this catholic one. So yes we've been allocated a place at a school we didn't list, for this exact reason. I understand that some students won't be catholic but with the family history we have this has caused some concerns. Looking at the school website etc has concerned me as it I'd totally the exact opposite of everything my family, me my kids have ever believed. I'm hoping to visit the school and speak with the head but I'm not sure that's going to put my mind at ease

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Original poster
Boymama83 · 08/03/2022 21:12

I stress WE DID NOT APPLY FOR THIS SCHOOL we are a Protestant family. That how I was raised it is how my kids are raised

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Hellocatshome · 08/03/2022 21:14

Unfortunately this is what happens when you only name one school on your preference form. Get yourself on waiting lists of any other schools you would consider.

TooMuchPaper · 08/03/2022 21:15

So you put one school on your list and didn't get it and got the Catholic school instead?

Fridgeorflight · 08/03/2022 21:18

You really only applied to 1 school, if one of the 2 was a grammar school and he didn't take 11 plus. If you don't get one of the schools you list then you get given the next nearest school with a place available once everyone else has had places allocated.

You've really caused this by not applying for other schools you would have considered acceptable.

Does your local authority provide a list of schools with places still available? If so, ring round and ask them. Or get yourself added to waiting lists of schools that are full.

BobbinHood · 08/03/2022 21:18

I understand your concerns but this is bollocks: totally the exact opposite of everything my family, me my kids have ever believed

They’re hardly opposites. In terms of actual religious beliefs, 95% of what each denomination believes is the same.

It does sound like an unsuitable placement though.

Original poster
Boymama83 · 08/03/2022 21:19

TooMuchPaper......yup pretty much. We not the only ones some of his classmates are allocated this school aswell - without putting it on their list - but we are the only family actively non Catholic.

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Original poster
Boymama83 · 08/03/2022 21:22

2 of the other families DID provide another school and still got this one as its closer than their alternative. I'm not sure how it works. I have already put an appeal in, will contact LA tomorrow to see if they have alternative with spaces

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ChateauMargaux · 08/03/2022 21:24

I am sorry you are in this situation. Can you appeal? There are some appeal experts on here who might be able to advise on whether your grounds for appeal will be considered.

Original poster
Boymama83 · 08/03/2022 21:26

@BobbinHood the differences are actually pretty big when you follow the religion, but my main concern is that some of the information on the school website, as well as the section 48 report really push the Catholic life. This would segregate my child from things in school and high school is hard enough without this. I would happily drive him further for a suitable alternative

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Soontobe60 · 08/03/2022 21:29

@Boymama83

I stress WE DID NOT APPLY FOR THIS SCHOOL we are a Protestant family. That how I was raised it is how my kids are raised
You do know that going to a catholic school doesn’t mean your dc will catch anything?
BobbinHood · 08/03/2022 21:29

[quote Boymama83]@BobbinHood the differences are actually pretty big when you follow the religion, but my main concern is that some of the information on the school website, as well as the section 48 report really push the Catholic life. This would segregate my child from things in school and high school is hard enough without this. I would happily drive him further for a suitable alternative[/quote]
As a practicing Catholic married to a practicing Protestant, no they’re not. But good luck with your appeal.

titchy · 08/03/2022 21:29

You can withdraw him from the religious stuff the school does - he can sit in the library or something. As a state school though they will deliver the national curriculum the same as any other school. They will more than likely have non-Christians at school so you don't really have any basis for appearing on the grounds of religion. Assuming you're in England.

RafaIstheKingofClay · 08/03/2022 21:46

Unfortunately religion isn’t really a valid grounds for winning an appeal. The LA are required to provide you with a school place, they aren’t required to provide you with one of a specific religion or lack of one.

You need to find reasons that are for the school you are appealing rather than against the school you were offered. I would avoid any mention at all of the reasons you have put on this thread.

Fridgeorflight · 08/03/2022 21:51

I'm not convinced that you are any more non-Catholic than other non-Catholics. That doesn't make much sense.

Ultimately this school is under-subscribed by Catholics, so there will need to be some arrangements for non-Catholics, whether they be other denominations of Christian, other religions or those of no faith.

Original poster
Boymama83 · 08/03/2022 21:59

@BobbinHood thankyou. That is your opinion on the religion. There are huge differences, and these are why I don't want my child at a faith led Catholic school. Every person is of course entitled to their on views, but this post was about what I can do to get my child I to a different school, not about a-differences between Protestant and Catholic or b- being married to a Protestant/Catholic.

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Original poster
Boymama83 · 08/03/2022 22:03

@Fridgeorflight sorry that me. So we are the only family from the group who have been allocated the Catholic school that actually practice our religion. Does that make more sense.

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Original poster
Boymama83 · 08/03/2022 22:04

Sometimes following a religion dont half make simple stuff complicated Confused

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RoseslnTheHospital · 08/03/2022 22:05

There must be other schools, further away, that would have been acceptable to you? If you only put one school down but don't get in on the admissions criteria then the LA will simply allocate you a place at the nearest school that has space.

I'd identify some schools that you would be ok with and get your child on their waiting lists.

Largethighsbadeyes · 08/03/2022 22:05

My child is going to a Catholic high school and I'm an atheist. I don't think as big a deal as you are making out.

WaterTheBasil · 08/03/2022 22:11

I've taught in a Catholic school and I would not send my children to a Catholic school. It's a choice that people should be able to make.

Obviously, you sort of blew that choice by manly listing one school!

You need to get on the waiting lists for all the schools that you would agree to send him to. As you didn't apply to them technically there is a chance they might have a place.

And then you need to start the appeals process.

You have to appeal for a school, not against the school you don't want. So you can't appeal and say 'he can't go there, it's a Catholic school and he's not Catholic'. You have to find reasons for him to go to the other school.