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lom · 12-08-2004, 01:44 PM

I'm not exactly sure. But this year we have been given a new timetable and everyone complained about still having chaple (now in our lunch break!) and we were told that we have to do it and we should have some sort of religious event every day.

I do not think they are forced to attend and I am almost positive they do not have to attend chaple. But thinking about it, ALL full boarders have to go to chaple on sunday for the service then and we ALL have to go to boarders singing practice on friday morning in preparation for the service on sunday whether we are going or not.
I do not think they would be made to go if they said they didn't want to.

HOWEVER, assemblys are a different story. I think they would be forced to attend because it is more of a school event, everyone comes together just to be a school, rather than to practice christianity. They do not have to sing the hymns or pray.

Also on a slightly more positive note for my school during Ramadan Muslims are excused from lessons to eat after the sun sets. They also have special Halal food at lunch, breakfast and dinner everyday. We also learn about Muslim in our GCSE (14-15 yr old) exams. Both from the point of ethical and philosophical issues and also from the point of general belief.
Other religions are in an extreme minority maybe 2 or 3 boys out of 500 so are not really accounted for in this way. I'm sure allowances would be made if they made their opinions heard though.

In respect of generalising for the UK I think my school is a special case. It is a public (you pay to attend) traditional boarding school. There is ALOT of tradition in the school (we have a Christian church in our grounds) and I think it is right to uphold this especially as some allowances have been made.
Saying this my old school up to the age of 13 was much less liberal. It was EXTREMELY old fashioned but has recently changed headmaster and I understand it has changed dramatically.

If you want to ask someone who knows alot more than I do please feel free to visit our website www.bedfordschool.org.uk emailing the Head or another member of staff would surely be welcomed.

12-08-2004, 01:44 PM	#23 (permalink)
lom Upright	I'm not exactly sure. But this year we have been given a new timetable and everyone complained about still having chaple (now in our lunch break!) and we were told that we have to do it and we should have some sort of religious event every day. I do not think they are forced to attend and I am almost positive they do not have to attend chaple. But thinking about it, ALL full boarders have to go to chaple on sunday for the service then and we ALL have to go to boarders singing practice on friday morning in preparation for the service on sunday whether we are going or not. I do not think they would be made to go if they said they didn't want to. HOWEVER, assemblys are a different story. I think they would be forced to attend because it is more of a school event, everyone comes together just to be a school, rather than to practice christianity. They do not have to sing the hymns or pray. Also on a slightly more positive note for my school during Ramadan Muslims are excused from lessons to eat after the sun sets. They also have special Halal food at lunch, breakfast and dinner everyday. We also learn about Muslim in our GCSE (14-15 yr old) exams. Both from the point of ethical and philosophical issues and also from the point of general belief. Other religions are in an extreme minority maybe 2 or 3 boys out of 500 so are not really accounted for in this way. I'm sure allowances would be made if they made their opinions heard though. In respect of generalising for the UK I think my school is a special case. It is a public (you pay to attend) traditional boarding school. There is ALOT of tradition in the school (we have a Christian church in our grounds) and I think it is right to uphold this especially as some allowances have been made. Saying this my old school up to the age of 13 was much less liberal. It was EXTREMELY old fashioned but has recently changed headmaster and I understand it has changed dramatically. If you want to ask someone who knows alot more than I do please feel free to visit our website www.bedfordschool.org.uk emailing the Head or another member of staff would surely be welcomed.