Witchlets UK is on a mission to normalise Paganism in schools through education and systemic change.
As of the 2021 census, Paganism ranks the 7th largest religion in the England and Wales, and the 2nd fastest growing. Most schools throughout the UK have Pagan or Heathen families in them and unfortunately often some of the learning materials can be hurtful and harmful to their spiritual learning.
Schools
There are so many simple things that schools can do today which changes the narrative to be more inclusive without changing the entire system. In fact many of these examples can be used across multiple faiths, and aren’t just limited to Paganism. We’ve listed some basic examples below;
- Correct commonly misspelled words in the resources, such as Altar.
- Include variations equally. For example, when you celebrate Christmas also equally mention Yule, Kwanzaa, etc, and not just as an after thought.
- Encourage questions and be willing to research when you don’t know the answer. Do not rely on resources that are written from the Christian viewpoint, but instead look for resources written from within the faith.
- Remember Pagans are not lost to time. The Gods should be taught as part of the Religious Studies curriculum and not History. Use present tense when referring to Pagans.
- Create positive wording. A good example is around Halloween when “witch” is used as a negative descriptor instead of a practice of some Pagans.
- Talk to us when you’re struggling to support a Pagan family in your setting, it’s what we are here for.
Parents and Guardians
In theory and legally, your children should be free to an education without fear of religious bias. We know though that this is not always the case. We also know that miscommunication and lack of information is normally the primary cause, and something we are in the position to rectify.
If you are struggling with your education setting in regards to your Pagan faith, we can help you. As a mediator, we objectively listen to both sides, and can work with you to find middle ground, so that your children can have an uninterrupted education, which is the most important thing. Talk with us today by using the contact form below.
I’d been having problems with my kids school for a while, where the teacher kept telling my child that I wasn’t a witch and he was lying. It got to the point where he was coming home crying, so I contacted Witchlets UK and they talked to the school. Just having that shield behind my back, and all their information, was exactly what they needed to sort this out, and now my kid loves school again, and I don’t feel laughed at for being Pagan.
Christie