Back to school!

Lizzie writes:

Autumn term started last week. Thank goodness! The children were starting to get bored after six weeks at home with only me and little Ivor for company.

Stanley is in year six now, he is eleven. Olivia is seven, and is in year three. They both go to the Bouncing Bunnies primary school in Dusty Mouldings, which is where we live. They have to wear a school uniform, which is usual for all school children in the United Kingdom. Their uniform is a grey skirt or grey trousers, white or grey or red socks, white or red polo shirt, blue sweatshirt with the school logo and black shoes.

The school have given me a whole pile of permission forms to sign for the school. They need my permission to use a computer, handle food, eat their school lunches, or be taken on school trips.

Funnily enough, one thing they don't need permission to do to children is to teach them religion. The Church of England is the official state religion in England, so even if you aren't a Christian yourself and your children aren't Christians, the school will tell them all about the miracles that Jesus performed and make them sing hymns and so forth.

Stanley tells his teachers that he doesn't believe it all, while James tells his teachers that he is a prays to Pan. The teachers ignore them. Neither atheism nor paganism are officially recognised religious viewpoints.