It makes me despair.....

I think it depends on the part of the country the extent to which primary schools are influenced by the church(es). In some parts of the post-industrial north, if there is any religious influence it's more likely to be from the mosque! In smaller towns and villages, it is likely that a lot of community activities and events are still centred on a church so to that extent non-denominational/faith schools will be involved with the church. We should, perhaps, remember that the law still requires RE to be taught in schools and that there should be regular assemblies of a largely Christian nature. Letting the children take part in the local church sponsored flower show or summer fete lets schools off the hook. Absent

Those whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.

I worked in an RC school and tbh we had far more children who were other faiths or no faiths than we had Catholic. I think it depends more on the area and as someone previously said the desires of the local thugs.

Lily, when you say secular schools, do you mean not affiliated to any sect at all? Most village schools in England are at least partly under the influence of either the C of E or the catholic church.
I agree that most schools now teach about the world religions in an unbiased way - all credit to teachers. Privately funded academies may be a different kettle of fish.

It's a good thing here in Queensland that there is no sectarianism. Even catholic schools teach 'Study of Religions' ie study of all the main religions. I know, because my eldest son teaches this to 15-18 year olds as well as History and English. He has taken his students to mosques, synagogues, anglican churches, orthodox churches and Buddhist celebrations among other places. I believe this subject is very good for preventing trouble later in their lives.

The only real sectarianism or tribalism we have in this State concerns sport, but in spite of our sporting-mad reputation, more people go to public libraries on any given weekend, than sporting fixtures.

They have these inter-state rugby league matches once a year (I think) called 'state of origin'. The Queensland colour is maroon (which they inexplicably pronounce marone) and their main rival, NSW, is blue, so you might get sniffed at for wearing blue on the train on a game night, but that's about the extend of it.

We are now in complete agreement, Lily.

It's always been like that in that area, unfortunately. Grandmanorm is so right - children make no differences when they play together, but once separated and shown that they are considered different by the adults who care for them and educate them, then everything goes awry.

According to Wikipedia (where would we be without it?) there are seven secular primary schools and one Catholic in Larkhall. There is one secular secondary school. Greatnan, thugs will find any excuse. Religion is a handy one in some parts of Glasgow.

But why is that allegiance so clearly split along sectarian lines?

This seems to be more to do with tribal allegiance to a football club than any genuine adherence to any religion!

Granmanorm - it has worked very well where it has been tried in Belfast.

How depressing that is. In my opinion that is why religious schools should not be allowed!!!! If children were taught all together regardless of religion I am sure that life would be less complicated and devisive. I have said this somewhere before, but it would be good if the children could be taught about all the main religions and tolerance for others would maybe grow from that.
I repeat, this is my humble opinion

No, I remembered it wrongly - it is Larkhall, South Lanarkshire.

Belfast?

Despair, despair! Are we still in the dark ages?

Where is Larkhill?