Westminster Cathedral Choir School - Advice for Non-Religious Family

[CMaD21]

Hi everyone,

We are exploring Westminster Cathedral Choir School (WCCS) in London. While we love what the school offers academically and musically, we are a non-religious, non-practicing family and are trying to understand how this might impact our experience there.

When we spoke to the school, they made it clear that there is no option to “opt out” of the religious aspects of school life. We’re wondering how challenging this might be for us as parents, particularly in terms of community involvement, school events, and any expectations of religious participation. How much of an adjustment is it for non-Catholic or non-religious families? How inclusive is the community?

We’d love to hear from other parents who have experience with WCCS.

You might want to move this post to primary education to get more traffic. I'm not a parent but am familiar with Catholic primary state schools and know how much the Catholic faith is central to everything that happens at the school. You know the Catholic Church has its own version of RE that they teach in Catholic schools approved by the DfE? Google "religious education directory". All Catholic schools have their own inspection service to check they are in line with the latest guidance.

5 mins on the school website gives you an idea of how much of the week will be spent in prayer or mass.

There's dozens of other schools nearby why bother sending to a faith school when you have the choice not to?

Speaking as a Catholic, I think that the sort of parents who send their children to this school live and breathe their religion. Catholicism will not be confined to Sundays; it's part of their DNA and imparts all aspects of their lives and conversation...not directly... I don't mean that they "talk" about God...it's just "there". Difficult to express what I mean. Your son might therefore feel a little bit left out.
I'd hazard a guess that Anglican choir schools will be less "religious"

I agree that you should move this to the Primary School board for more traffic. I just stumbled across this - not sure why this board is needed really.
Anyway, WCCS does have a strong Catholic ethos and there's a whole school Mass once a week. Day boys don't have to be Catholic and not all are. I wouldn't think it would be a big problem for a non-Catholic boy day to day, but I'd say you need to be open to him learning about it all. Maybe ask the registrar whether there are many non RC boys in his cohort.

Why are you considering sending your child to a Roman Catholic Cathedral Choir School when you say you not religious or practising?
There are other non religious schools which if you look for you will find.

I think you are spot on.

I thought they only took practicing catholics.

Only the Cathedral choristers need to be Catholics, but the ethos is fairly pervasive. I wouldn't say all the parents live and breathe their religion. I'm sure there are some who are very devout, but it's a normal boys' prep school with a wide range of nationalities and very normal and lovely parents. Events are normal school events such as parents' drinks, coffee mornings, bake sales etc. There are school Masses but certainly not all parents attend. It's very academically focussed and very musical. Sports strong too but given the location; they do bus them to parks so they don't get as much playing time as they would in a school further out of London. So if your son is super sporty he might need to supplement with an outside club.

So in a nutshell, my personal opinion would be that if you were practising a different religion, it would be tricky and I'd say not for you. But if you're simply not practising anything and you don't mind him being exposed to the Catholic side of things, then I don't think he'd feel left out. He wouldn't be able to apply for a chorister place though.

I went a private Catholic primary school and our family has been very involved in Cathedrals too (my children's father is an organist). I would image as others have said there will be a lot of Catholicism and choristers will be Catholic. The other way round I did a lot of singing in a C of E Cathedral (as well as going to mass at the Catholic church and in their choir too). The C of E will let Catholics take communion in their churches but Catholics should not and do not (Tony Blair got in a lot of trouble over this issue before he converted to Catholicism).

I doubt as a parent at this school you would have to do much that was religious other than attendance at usual events like carol services almost all schools have. I don't know what percentage of the pupils are catholic but if the whole class except one child is preparing for first communion at 7 or 8 that might make a non religious child feel a bit left out.

As a current (2015 to date) not religious parent of WCCS, I can tell you the religious aspect will have little impact on you. Parents will end up in church for school events sometimes but unless you hate churches or any god or religion as a matter of principle, this can be pleasant. The main reason for choosing WCCS is for its wonderful teachers and academic integrity in a loving and supportive environment.

Thank you so much to everyone for sharing your experience and thoughts! Greatly appreciate it ☺️