Sharing/conflict resolution at nursery school?

Mojisola

notanewuser wrote: »

The nursery teacher, I expect! (I suspect he too is "of faith" so it suits him. The assembly thing he can't get out of - its Welsh Government dictat.)

The Head can't be much of a leader if the nursery teacher is dictating what goes on in the school.

Thing is, I'm torn between fighting (and I really would fight on principle) and not wanting DD labelled as "the one with the awkward mother"!!!

As you don't have a choice of schools, you'll have to balance what happens in school with what you teach her at home but I wouldn't be happy with the prayers during the day.

notanewuser

Thing is, both DH (English) and I (welsh) said grace and prayers at school (I even went to a church school) and we turned out okay. So odds are that it will be okay.

But that's in spite of the system, not because of it IYSWIM.

Mojisola

notanewuser wrote: »

Thing is, both DH (English) and I (welsh) said grace and prayers at school (I even went to a church school) and we turned out okay. So odds are that it will be okay.

I'm sure your daughter will too!

Children are quite happy to accept the "we do this at school" and then accept Mum and Dad telling them "some people believe this and other believe that".

Interesting that if the children were expected to say Islamic prayers several times a day in a non-religious school, there would be an outcry about what's happening.

liney

'We pray at lunch time,' probably just means: 'For what we are about to receive may the Lord make us truely thankful. Amen.'

My son does not go to a faith school, but in assembly, they pray and ask all the children to say Amen if they agree with the prayer. No one is forced to conform.

Please be aware that the National Curriculum does state that:

'The Education Act 1996, ... requires the syllabus to reflect that the religious
traditions of Great Britain are in the main Christian whilst taking account of the
teachings and practices of other principle religions.'

I imagine, the ongoing Christian prayer is the first part where as the RE lessons will reflect the diversity by introducing other faiths.

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notanewuser

liney wrote: »

We pray at lunch time probably Just means: 'For what we are about to receive may the Lord make us truely thankful. Amen.'

That's the grace we said, but the welsh one is slightly different. I asked why they couldn't be grateful (to nature/the farmer/the cook) without specifying a religious deity. She couldn't answer that.

notanewuser

liney wrote: »

My son does not go to a faith school, but in assembly, they pray and ask all the children to say Amen if they agree with the prayer. No one is forced to conform.

A 3 year old welsh learner wouldn't know what they were agreeing to or not though.

Mojisola

liney wrote: »

We pray at lunch time probably Just means: 'For what we are about to receive may the Lord make us truely thankful. Amen.'

Years ago, I saw a cartoon that had a family round the table saying grace when the heavens opened and God thundered "Can't you even be thankful by yourselves? Why have I got to get involved?"

iammumtoone

notanewuser wrote: »

One assembly a week with a bit of religion is quite different to 5 a week plus 5 lunchtime prayers, plus 5 home time ones. You get my concerns now?

I totally understand your concerns on this point. I am not anti religion, I even take ds to a fun church playgroup but I choose to do that. I would hate for it to be enforced on him at school every day. Interestingly at the church group which is for children age 3-12 - they do not pray, they listen to a bible story explained in a childs view but no praying, this takes up 10 minutes max of the two hours we are there, the rest of the time is having fun and making things.

I feel for you but apart from moving country (not possible and why would you want to anyway) there doesn't seem like there is much you can do about it

Also totally understand your point about not wanting to be the 'awkward mother' I have an irrational fear that if I moan/complain too much it will be taken out on ds

notanewuser

Thanks. It's nice to know its not just me.

liney

notanewuser wrote: »

A 3 year old welsh learner wouldn't know what they were agreeing to or not though.

I think you should ask to go to an assembly and listen to the prayers. They are not the prayers you might hear in church, but child friendly speak so that the children do understand.

My point was that these things involve the Christian God because the National Curriculum states that they must. If you do not want your child to be taught within the National Curriculum, then the options are Independent Schools which do not have to follow it, or to home school.

Your child will probably be taken on a trip to Church at Christmas and Easter too, again to celebrate the Christian Festivals and conform to the 'mostly Christian' aspect of the National Curriculm.