my son is in yr 5(10 years old) and there is a school trip organised for the whole yr to go to candlemass service today and monday. it lasts all afternoon, and is very religious. it is a c of e school. although not compulsary, all the kids are going. my sons school is leading the service which mean they have to stand on the stage in front of 1500 other children from different schools. he has been really really upset this morn about going, being on a stage in front of that many kids is his idea of hell to be honest! hes got in a real state about it, and i think its actually gone beyond just not wanting to go. we went into school and asked if he could stay at school instead, and the teachers got a bit 'funny' about it. i know we all have to do things we dont want o in life, but hes 10 and was just so upset about it. i worry that he'll start loosing his confidence if we force him to go. also, for me, i dont see it as such a big deal but some of the teachers are very religious and think that all the children should take part. now hes staying at school in a year 3 class, and im worried that the teachers may be a bit 'off' with him. what would you do? should i force him to go? hes usually a very confident boy in the class.