Collective Worship
Introduction
At All Saints we are committed to valuing and nurturing each child as an individual who will achieve their best and develop an enthusiasm for lifelong learning. Our vision is for the children in our school to grow into responsible, caring and fulfilled adults who actively and positively contribute to the society in which they live. We are committed to raising standards, values and self-esteem for all those involved with our school through cultivating a secure, yet exciting environment that is positive, supportive, stimulating and enriching.
As a Church of England Primary School we see our Collective Worship as a central part of school life. Our Collective Worship policy fulfils the statutory requirements common to all schools according to the 1988 Education Reform Act (and consolidated in the 1996 Education Act). It also fulfils the Diocesan requirements for a voluntary aided church school which states that worship will be Christian in content.
Aims
Our aim is that our worship contributes to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all children and staff.
Our policy for collective worship supports this by:
Recognising that Collective Worship is an important opportunity to provide opportunities for our pupils’ and staff spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
Providing a daily act of collective worship for all pupils which enables them to:
- worship God
- reflect on Christian values for schools, personal development, multi-faith festivals and curriculum aptitudes
- develop a community spirit, a common ethos and shared values
- consider spiritual and moral issues
- respond to the worship offered
- respond to Christian language and symbolism and experience stillness and quiet
- experience a variety of forms of prayer and meditation. These might include praise, seeking forgiveness or quiet reflection
- begin to understand the nature and purpose of worship
- Ensuring the daily act of collective worship be distinctly Christian in content and follows the liturgical calendar
Ensuring Collective Worship, whether in assembly or class time, will:
- be inspiring and transformational
- be led by senior leaders, staff, children, clergy and visitors.
- develop the Christian vision, values and ethos of the school and focus on our school Christian values
- include a range of creative opportunities e.g. music, silence, drama
- involves pupils through members of the Worship Council opening and closing worship and through pupils writing their own prayers
- celebrate and give thanks for the achievements within the school, local and international community and occasions of significance, including festivals
- provide a foundation for a mature understanding and practice of worship in the future
- will take place in the school hall, outdoors, in class rooms or the church
- respecting the right of parents to withdraw their children for Collective Worship