Christian school for non religious family?

scarlet - definitely check the availability. here all the schools are oversubscribed so tons of people get sent to the rubbish schools on the other side of the city as they're the only ones with space. it means even the catholics don't all get into the catholic school and without the vicar's signature on the form there's absolutely no chance.

if you choose to send your child to a catholic school because it is going to provide them with the best education, you really do not have a right to complain about the extent of religious education or expect to be able to exclude your child from RE classes.

Completely disagree with that statement. You have every right to choose whether your child is excluded from RE or not. My dd goes to a catholic school. We are not catholic so therefore she is excluded from RE of any kind. I don't know how the school system works in the U.k but every school here is connected to either the catholic church or church of Ireland so if you are of any other faith you have no choice.

But the whole point of the op is that she is choosing a faith school over other non faith schools. Clearly the situation is different where you live but the op says she has a choice of schools and I did say if you 'choose' a faith school.

A bit extreme maybe but it is like choosing to get married in a church because it will look nice in the photos and requesting that the priest or vicar not mention god because you don't actually believe in it.

I'll be honest and say I don't know where you stand there, our schools here are nearly all religion based and we don't have a choice in the matter. I don't mind RE of course, but am 100% against christianity being taught as the truth in school and unfortunately it is that way in the nursery Molly is going to the teacher of her class told me she could sit out in the corridor during assemblies and if they were doing religious based activities, or "learning the good word" (WTF??) , which I'm terribly unhappy with but thats their way of getting round it, they know I won't want her to sit alone.

As long as the school can accomadate your beliefs (i.e. at least not force theirs down your throat) and you don't mind the rest then apply and see how it goes.

I agree with Annette here I think - in England you have the choice to send your child to a faith school or a non faith school. If you choose the faith school then I think you need to accept the Christian teaching. I am sending Martha to a state school and I understand that a lot of the parents there are uncomfortable with the level of "christianity" taught in what is supposed to be a secular school . I think that's more of an issue. If however I had sent her to the Catholic school I would have just had to suck it up, whilst telling her at home that it wasn't something we subscribed to.

Altho even that would have been hypocritical (of me) because had we been granted a place it would have been on the basis of Martha being a baptised Catholic. Different of course if you declare your agnostic or atheist stance at the outset.

That's just a long winded way of saying I think its fine to send a non Catholic child to a catholic school but I don't think that they should be excuded from RE, unless you are in Eire or NI and there is no secular alternative.

she could sit out in the corridor during assemblies and if they were doing religious based activities, or "learning the good word" (WTF??) , which I'm terribly unhappy with but thats their way of getting round it, they know I won't want her to sit alone.

That's terrible My dd does an activity with the teaching assistant. If they are short staffed, they give us a call or she is put in another classroom. I'm not sure if she stays in the classroom or not while religion is being taught but I told them that was up to them. My dh (who is British) was allowed play during assembly. The school is very accomodating but I have never heard of a school that wasn't as accomodating. I have a friend in Newry & they are great with her son.

But the whole point of the op is that she is choosing a faith school over other non faith schools.

I understand where you are coming from Annette but I still believe that she should not have to choose between education & faith. This is a private school where the op will be paying for her daughter's education. I think she has the right to stipulate that her daughter does not receive a religious education from the school.

It seems to me that the schools are a lot more accomodating if you are of a different faith rather than you saying that you don't believe.

I think the above is a bit moot as if I were to choose to send him to this school I would have him included in all activities...as it would be my choice to send to this school instead of any other. Its not just up to me either, its up to him and what he is comfortable with too. I went to sunday school and church and sang hymns, prayed etc at school as that was 'normal' I have grown with my own views on religion of all forms so I dont believe that a christian or 'religious' education is a problem as long as its taught in an acceptable way (and if I felt is wasnt I wouldnt send him to the school..end of!) and as long as other important things arent excluded, devalued or twisted to fit in with religious belief.

I have a meeting at this school later in the week, they are very happy to discuss everything with me and let me talk to some of the children who would be in Cs class. I have spoken to the headmaster before but will get some real sit down time with him this time.
I also have arranged a meeting at his current school with his teacher and headmaster to arrange for him to attend part time, I doubt they will be happy but I will be laying out why clearly (they already know I am unhappy etc) and expect them to cooperate in helping sort out when would be the most beneficial days/times for him to attend.
He went into school much happier today, I have discussed all of the above with him and he is very enthusiastic about part time school with learning at home, infact he went to fetch one of his KS2 maths books to tell me what he should be learning next and could we do it at home LOL. I have outlined some basic plans and my sister (the teacher) will be helping me go over it to pick up any gaps so that if I were ill there would already be a learning plan and diary of activities in place. C was also asking to visit a local free museum and gallery so he could take notes and write a "report" about it, he also got an RSPB membership for his birthday and wants to go to a reserve to collect feathers, take pictures and write about the different kinds of birds he sees.

We had our meeting with the School. Every member of staff I saw said how over subscripted the school was. They accept some non Catholics into the nursery but I don't think many. They told me that if I wanted Pearl to go the school she would need to baptised and we would need to attend the Church connected to the School. I think the Father has a lot of say over who the school accepts. It was a lovely School and by the sounds of things a very homely and welcoming community. But I don't think its right for us to go to a Catholic church every Sunday. So I think thats us out.

Is it Trinity by any chance? I have a couple of friends who have sent their children there & they work there too. It's meant to be a lovely school & if I lived closer I'd seriously consider it. Funnily enough though it's the faith aspect that appeals for us I hope you have a good meeting with the head this week