How far do I go to get Fe2O3Baby into the nearest school?

by Fe2O3Girl 15 Replies latest jw friends

  • Fe2O3Girl
    Fe2O3Girl

    I know it is years off (he won't start school until September 2010), but I have started mulling this over.

    The nearest primary school to our home is a church-aided (Church of England) school. I put sproglet's name on the list (which does not give any priority, just registers interest) and got an info pack. The admission criteria is 1) Looked after (fostered or in care) children, 2) children whose parents are identifed by the vicar as being leaders in the faith community of local churches, 3) children who have a sibling at the school, 4) children whose parents are active members of a local church, 5) local children.

    So, Fe2O3Baby only falls into the lowest priority. I have been told that it helps to get your child in the school if the vicar "knows your face".

    In addition, the impression given by the info pack is that this is a churchy churchy school - a letter from the vicar and the school prayer are included.

    I have very mixed feelings. I am not sure if I want my child educated in such a religion soaked establishment. On the other hand, when I visited the school a few years ago, it had a really nice atmosphere. All the other kids in the village have gone there, and they are not all church-goers.

    As it is a church aided school, the church has a right to a say in the running and ethos of the school.

    It seems to be a really nice school where the children are happy.

    It is near enough to walk to school.

    Although I am an atheist, I enjoy attending church occasionally. I resent being manipulated into attending services in order to get a place at the nearest school to our home. But, they are making up the rules, so if they want to play that game to get atheist bums on seats, it isn't my fault. But they will get away with it as long as the majority of secular parents play their game......

    It is all making me feel rather middle class, and not in a good way (is there a good way?)

    Rachel (Conflicted class)

  • OnTheWayOut
    OnTheWayOut

    I have very mixed feelings. I am not sure if I want my child educated in such a religion soaked establishment. On the other hand, when I visited the school a few years ago, it had a really nice atmosphere. All the other kids in the village have gone there, and they are not all church-goers.

    These are YOUR very important decisions.
    1. Religion soaked establishment
    2. All the other kids in the village have gone there.

    It sounds like you don't really need to go to church to get your kids in there, if "all the other kids in the village" got in.

    My advice is- Don't be false to your own values, see if the kid get's in without your attendance. That way, you can allow
    your child to see a balanced view of religion. If Fe203Baby does not get in, revert back to #1 above, and you make sure
    to educate your child well, no matter where they are sent to school.

  • Nathan Natas
    Nathan Natas

    I would bet the vicar would be more than willing to recognize your signature on a check in place of your face in a pew. You might meet with him after attending a service and explain that you have claustrophobia and so will be an infrequent attendee at church, but offer your support in "other ways." If the fellow has a sweet tooth and is not afraid of being poisoned, you might send some pastries or an occasional ham to him.

    People CAN be bought, and there are many currencies.

  • Dansk
    Dansk

    Hi Rachel,

    You missed a good curry night!

    You wrote:

    The nearest primary school to our home is a church-aided (Church of England) school. I put sproglet's name on the list (which does not give any priority, just registers interest) and got an info pack. The admission criteria is 1) Looked after (fostered or in care) children, 2) children whose parents are identifed by the vicar as being leaders in the faith community of local churches, 3) children who have a sibling at the school, 4) children whose parents are active members of a local church, 5) local children.

    Because the admission criteria is numbered doesn't mean, as I'm sure you know, that that is necessarily the order of admission and that because your delightful son falls into category 5 he will be excluded. Rather, I have usually found that criteria is interwoven rather than being separate. Have you actually been told the numbers refer to a set priority?

    If you geneuinley like the school and the children are happy, then a church-run school is fine - especially a Cof E as they tend to be more liberal and, let's face it, I bet we both know more protestants who don't go to church than catholics!

    I wish you success in your choice.

    Love,

    Ian

  • Fe2O3Girl
    Fe2O3Girl

    The admissions policy states that the criteria are applied strictly in order of priority. So although Fe2O3Baby won't necessarily be excluded, he is bottom of the list (unless I start faking).

    There has been a lot of development near the school in recent years, so there are far more children looking to get places than there were five or ten years ago when the other kids in the village started school.

  • Dansk
    Dansk
    unless I start faking

    Nothing new for a woman

    Ian

  • Fe2O3Girl
    Fe2O3Girl

  • Dansk
    Dansk
    Nothing new for a woman

    Well, so I've heard!

    Seriously, the government is pushing for religious schools to take a quota of children from parents of other religions. This should have a bearing on the church school you are considering, i.e. even though not of that faith your child should be accepted. As you have a few years for your son to reach school-age the law should be implemented by then. Not a guarantee, but should strengthen your position.

    Ian

  • Fe2O3Girl
    Fe2O3Girl

    What kind of heartless school wouldn't want this godless little cutie?!

  • diamondblue1974
    diamondblue1974
    Nothing new for a woman

    Dansk, is this you displaying your radical feminist views again? LOL.

    Rachel, personally I think the question is how far will you go to ensure bratling gets into the best school possible and not just the nearest; the one you have mentioned sounds great but surely you need to look at the academic record this school has too? It is often a misconception that a church aided school will deliver the right academic results.

    Also too, and I am not sure whether this is the case but, if the entrance criteria is in the order of priority as mentioned above, then there is a strong possibility that your little one will be in a class with a high volume of children who have emotional and or behavioural difficulties ("EBD") (given they are looked after). It might be an idea to obtain OFSTED reports for the school and look at the league tables and how they fair. Also too enquire from the head teacher what percentage of the children are ("EBD") on average in a class.

    I know this sounds all very middle class but you can be forgiven for wanting the best for your children.

    DB74

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit