UK Only - Has your child been accepted into a C of E school even though you are not religious?

Question

The best school in my area is a C of E school. However, we are not at all a religious family. They sent out an application form asking for church attended etc and I was truthful and said we didnt attend the local church. What chance have I got of getting my daughter into the school?

Answer 1

we werent members of the church and even though this C of E school was a 2 minutes walk from my home AND we were in the allocated area or whatever it is, we still didnt get in. most of the kids were members of the church and most of the kids in that school were one religion.
we now have to take the car all the way up the hill for a 5 minute drive to another school.
No offence to anyone but I and other parents and families feel segregated.
we are full supporting parents and would have got involved in every way we could with the school.
C of E schools might as well be classed off as PRIVATE schools for Church members only and no one else.

Answer 2

I agree with miss tee, I wanted the same for my Son, however to get in the local C of E school which is classed as the best in our area, according to league tables, we had to be active members of a C of E Church for at least three years prior to the application form getting sent in, the only other option was if siblings already attended, which in my case they don't. Its very disappointing.

Answer 3

I dont think C of E schools are so fussy as say Catholic schools.
It depends on the acceptance criteria of the school, they will have a list of the reasons for accepting children something like they will firstly take children who have older siblings at the school, then secondly children who live within a certain area, then children who go to church etc etc. So it really depends on the acceptance criteria, going to church might be way way down the llist, and you might get in cos you live locall

Answer 4

I'm Jewish and my daughter goes to a Catholic school. I have heard that they must allow a few non-catholic pupils in to fill certain demographics. There are even a few Muslim, Sikh and Hindu pupils that go there.

I'm sure that you would have a good chance of getting your daughter accepted into the school, but all schools have different acceptance criteria, and some may be more strict about religious beliefs than others.

Answer 5

My children have been to 3 C of E primary schools over the years and we've never been asked about church going - neither have we been to church at all in that time so hopefully it won't cause you a problem.

Incidentally, my middle daughter left her church primary school as a card carrying atheist!

Answer 6

i agree with miss tee,people have the same trouble where i am,the school will take catholic children before anybody else,then it goes to any children in residential care,then 1st choice,then catchment area,then 2nd choices,im having near the same sort of problem theres a good school 2 1/2 miles away which is very popular which i put for all my 4 choices but hes been given a school 7miles away in a different catchment when there are schools but not so good closer by im appealing so fingers crossed...sometimes i think goes on the area you live in and your postcode if your face fits kinda thing.hope this helps and i know how your feeling..

Answer 7

A Cof E school is owned and run by the Church of England and financed by it as well. They are not subject to Government intervention or control. You do not have to be religious to attend one.

Answer 8

My sister did.Her two kids arent religious and they attend a C of E school.You should be fine.