Catholic school - a dilemna Post Reply

[tooposhtopush]

errrrrrrrr am I being thick here but isn't it just wrong to push your kids into a religion you don't believe in yourself?

[tamara]

if the best education is a catholic school then go for it.

i thought they were REALLY hard to get into though? I mean don't you need a letter from the pope or something? I suspect it might be harder than you think to get in...

T

[Norwoodmum]

Can completely sympathise as I was in the same situation a few years ago. Overall, it isn't doing them any harm, by that I mean the wonderful Catholic guilt, at the infant/junior school stage and is actually quite good in helping them get over various obstacles. Personally, I'm catholic but my husband isn't and is a complete non-believer so the children do get a good balance. There is no fire and brimstone as you put it, it is just the teaching and explanation to things. I'm not sure what its like when they get to secondary school but ... I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. But please do go for the Catholic option simply becuase your children are going to benefit in the long run and, as long as you are there also to explain things then there should be no problem. Good luck with it all.

[moops]

I'll be sending my DS to a Catholic school, my Husband and I are both Catholic but that isn't the main reason, I just think they are nicer schools with a nicer environment.

I know when my Brother in Law wanted to send his kids to the local Catholic School he had to organise a hasty baptism, so I think this is a requirement. I doubt they care or check up if you regularly go to Church though. As long as you don't mind your child coming home talking about Jesus and bible stories then I would say go for it!

[kackabella]

I can completely understand that you want the best for your child, but I think you might find it harder than you think to get in. The Catholic schools in our area are extremely good so therefore entry is very competitive. For instance, last year when I applied for my 1st child there were nearly 60 category 1 applications (that's children where 1 or both parents is a practising Catholic in the parish where the school is situated) for 30 places, and 15 of those places went to siblings. I will be applying for my 2nd child this coming year and I already know that there will be over 20 siblings in that year so that leaves less than 10 places for new families!! You will have to live pretty much next to the school to guarantee entry...
Priests are also pretty wise to the fact that some people start going to church just before the school application process begins and I've heard that some will refuse to sign your application form if they do not recognise you. Just to warn you!!
Lastly, please do think of those people who attend church each week because they want to and the fact that there is a fab Catholic school attached is just a bonus. If you do manage to get your child in, you'll quite possibly be taking away a place for a child whose parents not only have been attending church regularly, but really don't have any other option but to send their child to the s**t state school down the road. Sorry, a bit of Catholic guilt for you.

[littlefeet]

I have the same dilemma myself, however I am CofE and my partner Catholic, we chose to christen our small one a catholic for a number of reasons the chance of better schooling being high amongst them. One way you could look at it, by sending lil Tarquin to a catholic school you are ensuring that he/she will learn about christianity and christian/old fashioned values that a lot of school are sadly lacking these days! Also in this ridiculous country that we live in where there are morons in government and in schools who do not understand the meaning of equality and instead choose to ban christianity in some schools as they feel it is offensive to those of other faiths yet happily teach and celebrate festivals of other religions. I am pro all religious teaching as I think it is the basis of most cultures and to teach your child this is to teach them understanding of all people and quite frankly I want to dress my little boy up as a shepherd in the nativity play at Christmas!

[soozem]

Both my children go/went to Wimbledon Ursuline Prep which I can heartily recommend. We aren't Catholic and are not church goers but we would describe ourselves as Christians and our kids are baptised. I have nothing but praise for our school, the children are taught all religions, its a happy school with a fab family atmosphere and high standards in all areas of the curriculum..........I think the days of the 'Christian' Brothers are well and truely gone. Otherwise they'd hardly get an 'outstanding' Ofsted inspection

[AlmaMum]

Hello, good luck with your dilema! I myself went to Catholic schools all the way through & had a wonderful, non too scary experience with pretty decent grades, good life-long friends and a balanced approach to life to show for it ! (all at no costs to my parents). As a mum to a toddler in Wandsworth now, my question is where are these great Catholic state schools ? I can't seem to find or be recommended any ! Help please !

[Annabel (admin)]

St Anselms in Tooting is wonderful, links in red below to more details here...

http://www.nappyvalleynet.com/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=988" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Holy Ghost in Nightingale Square...

http://www.nappyvalleynet.com/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=989" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Would love to hear other recommendations...

A

[redtedart]

Go for it. Am sure the school is fine. The problem I have, is with our priest. He is horrible and hasn't welcomed us in the least. I personally, can not be @rsed to suck up to him....