Sharing/conflict resolution at nursery school?

Nicki

I know about the tolerance being increased from personal observation of children discussing things in the playground, by discussions with local authority diversity co-ordinators in the context of my role as a school governor, and by reading reports of attitudes in other countries/or educational settings where there is not such a wide exposure.

As for the alternative religious leaders point, in response to my very first post on the thread where I said my children's school had a range of faith leaders come in but I understood it might be a different situation in a small welsh village, you quite rudely responded you were close to Cardiff and you weren't aware of anything in the scriptures preventing travel. You may want to disagree with any post I make but at least pick a position and stick to it .

notanewuser

Nicki wrote: »

I know about the tolerance being increased from personal observation of children discussing things in the playground, by discussions with local authority diversity co-ordinators in the context of my role as a school governor, and by reading reports of attitudes in other countries/or educational settings where there is not such a wide exposure.

As for the alternative religious leaders point, in response to my very first post on the thread where I said my children's school had a range of faith leaders come in but I understood it might be a different situation in a small welsh village, you quite rudely responded you were close to Cardiff and you weren't aware of anything in the scriptures preventing travel. You may want to disagree with any post I make but at least pick a position and stick to it .

I've not changed position. It's entirely possible that leaders of all faiths regularly visit the school. There is nothing that I'm aware of that would prevent it, at least. But as I don't actually know whether they do or not, I didn't say that they do, which is what you've said I said.

So how do you know that it's specifically the religious participation that's increased tolerance in the school? I'm assuming you don't have a control group hidden somewhere.......

Nicki

Which bit of the information which I said I based my conclusions on did you not understand and I can try to explain that to you? Did I say it was a scientific peer reviewed conclusion (which would require a control group) because I must have missed that somewhere in my post!

I think it is absurd if the elected UK government considers that there is educational value in schools being permitted to have assembly and prayers, and the majority of parents do not disagree with this, and that there is a right for parents who do disagree with it to withdraw their own children from that element of the school day, that the minority of parents who actively disagree should have any right to deny children the educational benefits which accrue.

And for the avoidance of all doubt I do not consider that simply being taught in an RE lesson the basic tenets of all faiths brings with it the depth of cultural insight that listening to hymns and prayers (of all faiths does) and for example I would not have derived the pleasure I did from reading Paradise Lost had I not had exposure to such hymns beforehand.

Further for the additional avoidance of doubt I do not believe that all schools approach the assembly and prayer element of the day in a "this is the truth and the only truth" way that some allege. Some teachers at some schools may but at a non-faith school I doubt this is even the majority of the teachers at the school and I personally have not come across such a universally dogmatic approach anywhere. But if I did, that might be a very good reason not to discount the other available schools in the area "for other reasons".

If you don't like it, don't have your child participate. Simples. But don't presume to dictate what other parents can choose for their children. You have a choice to opt out. You ought not to have the ability to prevent other parents from staying in.

notanewuser

Nicki wrote: »

I think it is absurd if the elected UK government considers that there is educational value in schools being permitted to have assembly and prayers, and the majority of parents do not disagree with this, and that there is a right for parents who do disagree with it to withdraw their own children from that element of the school day, that the minority of parents who actively disagree should have any right to deny children the educational benefits which accrue.

Ah, were it that simple. Do you trust the elected government to review these things regularly? I don't. Do you really think that the majority of parents actually know what is happening in their schools, or care enough to want change anyway?

The system is different in Scotland. It seems to work well there. Parents are actively canvassed to give their view on the issue. Why shouldn't that be the case in other parts of the UK?

If decisions are made by those of a particular faith, it is highly likely there will be bias towards it. So a religious head has the power to make their school a mini-church if they like, with nothing anybody else can do about it? Does that really sound right to you?

I have a fundamental issue with the fact that there is no choice for parents who want a secular education for their children other than providing it themselves (at great cost, I might add). Want a religious education, you can send your child to a faith school. Send them to a non-faith school and you get force-fed christian doctrine anyway. Nice choice.

There have been some interesting points made re philosophy and critical thinking. Your points about calming waters are interesting too. However, they don't detract from the fact that schools here (and by the sounds of it elsewhere) are not open about the practices they use, presumably because they know they would be asked to justify it/modify it by some parents that won't much like it.

Nicki

There is no choice for parents who want a secular education...

Other than exercising their legal right to withdraw their child from any religious practise by the school. (Afaik you cannot withdraw them from the bits of RE specified in the national curriculum) but you do have a right to withdraw then from assembly and prayers. A right you want to choose not to exercise it would seem.

notanewuser

Nicki wrote: »

There is no choice for parents who want a secular education...

Other than exercising their legal right to withdraw their child from any religious practise by the school. (Afaik you cannot withdraw them from the bits of RE specified in the national curriculum) but you do have a right to withdraw then from assembly and prayers. A right you want to choose not to exercise it would seem.

Why should she have to be withdrawn from something 3 times a day that may well have other negative impacts? It's a rock and a hard place situation!

Why shouldn't there be an inclusive choice for parents who would prefer that the religion remained part of the RE curriculum (which we here can choose not to study - not that I want that)? Especially as those that feel strongly that they want a religious aspect to their child's daily life have a choice of specific faith schools?

Nicki

Start a free school then with like minded parents. You can fulfil your statutory requirements by having a minimal assembly stating that some people believe x but that there is no proof. If enough parents feel the same way you do, problem solved!

notanewuser

Nicki wrote: »

Start a free school then with like minded parents. You can fulfil your statutory requirements by having a minimal assembly stating that some people believe x but that there is no proof. If enough parents feel the same way you do, problem solved!

I don't think we have the legislative ability to have free schools in Wales.......

Do you disagree with the idea that parents could be asked what they actually want by schools?

Nicki

I don't think parents should be able to give a blanket veto to what is taught in or done in schools no. By way of example, the majority of kids in my children's schools are Muslim and some Muslim parents have suggested that the PHSE policy should be amended to remove reference to people "dating" before marriage because their kids don't do that and also to remove references to homosexuality. I can't see that being a forward step.

If the majority of parents backed the status quo in a vote at your chosen school what would your position be then? Would you remove your child from the school, withdraw her 3 times a day, or let her passively participate and address the issue at home?

notanewuser

Nicki wrote: »

If the majority of parents backed the status quo in a vote at your chosen school what would your position be then? Would you remove your child from the school, withdraw her 3 times a day, or let her passively participate and address the issue at home?

I think we differ because I see a clear difference between RE and religious practice.

At the moment the plan is

1. let her deal with it/passively participate and address issues at home

if that becomes unworkable for whatever reason

2. withdraw her 3 times a day

and if that didn't sort it/there were other issues

3. remove her from the school