Primary school choices

granjura, I accept your criticism of people who find going to church, cheaper than paying for private education. My daughters went to our local state primary school, and then to the CoE high school. They were christened, and attended sunday school, brownies etc. We went to church 'religiously' in order to gain the necessary points. We still go to church, but less frequently. Our excellent vicar commented that if the church could hold people for the period of time needed to get their children into the high school, it must be doing something wrong if so many people then dropped off. In fact, in the area we live in, church going isn't unusual - or intense. Our children have a large group of friends, made at high school, and have gained a great deal from their time there. We have christenings, funerals, but not always weddings "done" at the local church.
Having acknowledged that my children benefited, and were certainly not indoctrinated, by exposure to church linked activities, including high school, I share the concerns about the increasing numbers of faith schools. There are debates locally about our CoE high school becoming more of a community school, that is not taking children who have to make long journeys, and widening the criteria for local children to attend.
I felt safe sending my children to the church high school, because i knew they wouldn't be indoctrinated or pressured into religious experiences they didn't want. I wouldn't feel safe sending them to one of the Creationist schools allowed now. I'd prefer no faith schools if it rules out only one extremist educational establishment.

My daughter's financial contribution is to their church, not the school. My son in law described the services there as "utterly joyless", even at Christmas.
In country districts the state primary schools are nearly all church schools so, if you did object, you'd have to pay for private education.

Iam64, I am sorry if you saw my post as a criticism. It was not meant to be- the point I tried to make, is that not all people who send children to Church schools are particularly religious, or not at all- but have to go 'though the motions' to gain access. DD1 and Sil have done this too.

You were lucky you children were not 'indoctrinated'. Our DDs were both told at our village C0fE school, by the Vicar, that he did not believe they had not been Christened, as their parents couldn't possibly be so cruel and it means they would not be able to go to Heaven if they died. Which caused many tears, anguish and nightmares for a long time.

I'll also remember the first time Diwali was first celebrated at a CofE Primary school where I was on teaching practice. All the Asian parents were there to see the show put on by the children- many Hindus of course. And at the end the Vicar said something like 'What a wonderful evening of light and dance- now let's bow our heads and pray to the Good Lord Jesus who made such a lovely evening possible. I nearly died.

Apricot- you are so right. Had we wanted our daughters not to attend the local village CofE school- we would have had to drive them a long way away from their community and friends- which wouldn't not have been acceptable in our mind. But I did wish our local village school would not have been a Church School- where the elderly Vicar and the Elders would not have had such a strong influence on the education, and regular access to classes and assemblies. It was otherwise an excellent school.

Most children round here travel 7 miles or more to get to school and a car is a necessity. 1.3 miles sounds good! But it does sound slightly mad that none of the chosen schools came up at all. Parental choice seems a bit of window dressing really.

I used to walk that distance to school when I was little - on my own - but nothing like the traffic around then.

Granjura - I wasn't offended by your post, but I do find the subject of faith schools difficult. My belief is it's important to acknowledge that some people live with a faith, and others don't. The issues being investigated in Birmingham couldn't happen if we abolished faith schools, as well as free schools, etc. I think there is room in a curriculum for discussion of all faiths, and the fact that many people live good lives without the need for a faith.

There's no parental choice where my little grandsons go to school. It's the church school or go further afield, meaning they aren't at school with the local children. My daughter had to take the children to Sunday school every other week in order to 'qualify' for a place. There are Asian children at the school, who live locally, parents not practising any religion. It's a small school and has good Ofsted reports, so no-one rocks the boat, but agree it's a nonsense.