General Chat

h i, i feel i just had to talk to some-one abt this,it's eating me up.My son is eight years old goes to a C of E primary school,surrounded by an ever increaseing jewish community.The thing is he is being taught jewish lessons,even making jewish cups.Today he asked the teacher if jewish children were learning abt our religion the teacher replied NO he asked why not and her reply was 'because i said so'. we are not a racist family but shouldnt the school be putting more effort into giving extra help to children who are falling behind. can i ask should i speak to the head about this. any advice welcome. GWEN.

Phone the Sun and explain the situation but wish to remain anonymous because you dont want a backlash. You may even get paid.. Elaine x

Hi Gwen I teach in a primary school, and think that the first thing you should do, is ask for a copy of the school's RE policy, and even their Equal Opps policy. If the school has a website, you may be able to access it there. This may be enough to put your mind at rest, but it will certainly clarify things for you, and if you do decide to see the Head, at least you will be armed with the knowledge you need. Good luck Sharon xx

Yes Gwen if I were you I would make an appointment to see the head and if your still not happy then go to the education department and see what they say.

Gwen, I know what you mean as I have 3 grandchildren 4yrs,6yrs,9yrsold) that go to a Cof E school. And they have a lot of asians that go to the school. My grandchildren have been told that they will be learning about Islam this year. Grandson that is 9yrs asked the headteacher if the asian children would be learning about Christianity and she told him NO. He actually walked out of the classroom into the playground told her he wasn't learning about Islam if the asians were not learning about Christianity. The Headteacher actually told him he was rascist and that she wouldn't put up with that. When the english parents found out that night about the situation they have all wrote to the Vicar and the Bishop who did not know about teaching the children Islam. At the school where my grandchildren go they have to attend church every week. How can Asian children attend a Cof E church when they have their own Mohammed to pray to and their parents will not let them go to Church even on a visit. And we are NOT rascist. Sue

I would definately speak to the Head about this. My daughter who's 9 goes to a catholic school, it's an excellent school and we are given prior to the year commencing what she will be doing every term. In RE: she learns about all religions not just her own. I hope you sort it out. catherine xx

Gwen - as someone who is involved in the provision of care for under 5's - Im appalled by this. Im sure that your school will have been Ofsted inspected. You can view a copy of this report on the web, go for name of school and ofsted and u should get it that way. Good luck and please keep us informed

I suppose it depends if the school curriculum is teaching the jewish faith this term, islam, next and Christianity the term after. I have no quarrel with children being taught about (not converted to) different faiths as long as all faiths are covered. to understand is to tolerate and we need tolerance to get along with all faiths. (we ALL need tolerance). The problem happens when it is one sided. I went to a Cof E school in the 40s and I was a baptist. I had to attend C of E church services, learn the catechism etc and that helped me to understand the different ways people worshipped. if I remember correctly jewish and RC children were excused. I think you should do as the others have suggested and approach the head for clarification, 8 year olds do sometimes misunderstand what is said. because I say so is not a very good reply for a teacher to give to an honest question. Is the teacher jewish by the way, just out of interest? Ann Glos

It does seem to be very one sided these days.I remember when i was in primary school, there was one girl of the Jewish faith and one of the Quaker faith. Neither sat in for C of E ,RE lessons, ,likewise the catholics. That was bad practice then ,as it segregated the children and made them feel different. Today we lean too far towards other religions, to the detriment of our own country's faith. I think children should learn about ALL religions,in my opinion perhaps it would help us to understand one another and have a more tolerant attitude, towards each culture. Sunny R

Hi Gwen, Are there any Jehovah's witness children at the school? Do they have to learn about Jewish religion, or any other religion come to that? I have Jehovah's witness friends, so my comment is not a dig at them but it is a dig at the system. I'm C of E and if I didn't want my child to learn other religions I'd be a rasist but for some other religions it's ok for their children not to learn about others. Hope I've come accross clear and not offended anyone. Fiona. Added: I moved to America 5 years ago and my children attend the public schools here. There are no RE classes, it is upto the parents themselves to deside what religion there children learn about if they learn about any at all. A few years ago they was a bit of to do about the children having to say the pledge of allegiance in schools as it contains the word God and some atheist didn't think their children should have to say it. Not sure how that one went, my kids aren't even American but I have no problem them saying it if they wish.

I don't think her answer because I said so was an answer for a teacher to give. I would have thought she should have known better. In our schools they follow the church of Scotland christian teaching, although as class projects they have taught other religions . We did have children who were Jehovahs witnesses at the school and they asked for their children not to be included in the Christmas plays prayers etc this was their choice and the school followed their wishes.

Hard subject and I am sure a lot of us have more to say but will be branded rasist. I would check OFSTED report, also contact LEA and ask what the guide lines are for RE. I would ask other parents you know to find what they think, then approach the school, if you feel you are not getting anywhere then again contact LEA making you feelings known. I would also contact your local paper. If the rolls where reversed and we refused to teach other religions can you imagine what would happen then? Im not rasist but believe our childrens religion is also important.

This infuriates me, yes be tolerant of all religions but not at the expense of the religion of our own country, Has anyone gone in and spoken to the staff, the little lad, bless him shouldnt have had to deal with that especially at a c of e school, Caz xxx

I agree with Brenda Little ones sometimes misunderstand..... So well worth checking with the school exactly what their policy is. Chris<<< C of E Partner>>>>>Practising Jew. So no axe to grind :)))

Hi Brenda, That was not my point, I never said J W's children were forced into that religion. My point was it's ok with C of E schools if there parents want them to be removed from classes but it not ok for a C of E child. I knew someone would take it the wrong way. Fiona.

Actually RE is the one lesson that every parent has the right to withdraw their child from on conscientious grounds, equally no teacher can be made to teach it. Don't forget also that these are lessons about religion not indoctrination into a religion.

Ive just been looking at all the LEA stuff I have here, this is from my local council quote:- Schools should ensure that the balance of time devoted to christianity and other other principal religions 'reflects the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian', whilst taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain 6 Principle world religion specified in the syllabus are Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism -Unquote check your council web site

Hello Having had two of mine at a C of E secondary school, it is general policy that they do teach other religions. Even so they do also do Christianity, in this schools case they regularly attend the local abbey for services. If you have real concerns contact the Head or the governors. You will hopefully find that it is this terms religion, especially as we have just had the Jewish New Year. Donna

i am over-whelmed with your responses.I feel armed now. THANK-YOU to you all. Gwen x

Just wondering if we went and lived in another country if there schools could teach our c and e as a first religion.Dont think so we would have to follow there rules. Annie