Collective Worship Policy - StonegateChurch Of EnglandPrimary School
To be reviewed by December 2016
Stonegate is a Church of England school where the beliefs and practices of the Christian faith underpin its philosophy, teaching and spiritual development. The child is the focus of the school and each one is valued as one of God’s children. The school aims to provide an environment where everyone feels loved, secure and able to reach their full potential. The school builds on the teaching started by parents and through partnership with them continues their education. Everyone is valued and encouraged to respect themselves and others and the world in which they live.
We welcome children of all faiths and beliefs andnone.
Rationale
At Stonegate Church of England School, the daily act of collective worship is viewed as an integral and important part of school life.
It is a time where we come together to share our love of God and celebrate our achievements (and sometimes failures) together. The worship of the school is based on promoting the Christian values which permeate the ethos of the school. As such, the contributions of staff, pupils, church clergy and other visitors are valued highly.
All acts of worship are in accordance with the founding Church of England Trust Deed and the Ethos Statement in the school’s Instruments of Government. School worship is an affirmation and celebration of the Christian values and ethos of the school.
Worship is central to the life and purposes of our school. It is an inclusive actwhich encourages reflection in all present, of all faiths and none, rooted in the Christian understanding of God as Trinity. This includes belief in; God the source of all being and life; Jesus who reveals God’s love by his life, death and resurrection; the Holy Spirit who makes the presence of Jesus known in the world.
Aims
Through collective worship in our school we aim to:
- Provide an experience of worship that will allow participants to respond to the presence, power and peace of God
- Introduce children to Christian language and symbolism and the cycle of the church year
- Explore a variety of ways of praying and introduce children to some well known Christian prayers, e.g. Lord’s Prayer
- Strengthen and support the school community, giving expression to and reaffirming the Christian values of the school
- Celebrate the gifts that each person brings to the school community, recognising the uniqueness of each individual made in the image of God
- Encourage reflection on the puzzling questions that life poses and response to the wonder and mystery of the world around us
- Foster a concern for others within the school and the wider world
- Foster an appreciation of the created world and an awareness of our responsibility for it
Legal Framework
There must be a daily act of Collective Worship for all pupils which takes account of their age and aptitude. (Education Reform Act 1988). Parents have the right to withdraw children from collective worship and suitable arrangements should be made to accommodate these children. Since this is a church school, however, worship is central to its life and work and is regarded as a very important part of children’s education.
Organisation
Monday: 9.00-9.20am
Whole school themed worship led by the Head teacher or member of staff.
Responses,Hymn and prayers
Tuesday: 9.00-9.20am
Whole school themed worship led by a teacher with supporting adult.
Responses,Hymn and prayers
Wednesday: 9.00-9.20am
Hymn Practice led by Mrs Welch.
Hymn and prayers
Thursday 9.00-9.20am
Whole school themed worship led by Vicar of the Parish
Responses, Hymn and prayers
Friday: 9.00-9.20am
Whole School Celebration led by the Head teacher or member of staff.
Responses, Hymn and prayers
Individual class assemblies take place three times a year during a Friday Celebration. Parents are invited to join us on these occasions.
All the main religious festivals and the end of year Leavers’ Service are held at the church led by the Parish Vicar with all classes and the choir contributing to the service. Parents are encouraged to attend these events.
The children take a lead role in all collective worship: writing and reading prayers, singing hymns/songs, running the ICT aspect of collective worship. They are encouraged to respond or make a comment on the assembly. These are in the form of post it notes and can be seen on the display in the school
Staff take turns in leading Collective Worship and Hymn Practice.
In addition to this, visiting groups and individuals are welcomed into the school regularly to lead worship.
The assembly/worship should last approximately 15-20 minutes
Planning, Content and Detail
Collective Worship begins with a response: The Lord be with you. To which the children reply: And also with you.
Collective Worship is themed. Each week is mapped out according to theme. Web sites, ideas and plans are included. Staff are also able to use their own ideas as long as they fit the theme.
The children enter to music and sit quietly. The candle on the altar table is lit and the worship begins with a response. The children then sing a hymn. The children are involved throughout the worship which finishes with a period of reflection time and a prayer. The prayer is often written and read by the children. The candle is blown out and messages are given out. The children lead out silently, a row at a time to help keep the spiritual atmosphere, feeling of awe and wonder and to embrace an atmosphere of calm and peace and to emphasise that Collective Worship is meaningful and special. Y6 children tidy the hall after all the other children have left, so there is a clear distinction that worship ends after they have left the hall.
Making Worship meaningful and special
We plan to include some of these all of the time and all of these some of the time
- Plan appropriate themes in advance and link them to the wider school curriculum.
- Create an atmosphere of calm and peace through the use of music to enter/leave by.
- Sing hymns linked to the theme which the pupils enjoy; occasionally include hymns which are also sung in the local church.
- Use visual aids or drama to explain the theme.
- Hold the pupils’ interest through a short, relevant story, poem or Biblical material.
- Involve the pupils as much as possible.
- Use sung or said prayers, sometimes written by pupils, along with traditional prayers learnt by heart e.g. the Lord’s prayer
- Create opportunities for silent reflection.
- Promote an ordered but relaxed atmosphere where all pupils feel comfortable to contribute.
- Welcome a range of visitors who have been given a clear brief concerning the act of worship.
- Develop a sense of ‘place’ in the worship area by making a spiritual focal point.
- Foster a sense of community and emphasise the value of worship by encouraging all staff to be present.
- Make a clear distinction between ‘assembly’ and ‘worship’.
Resources
A teacher’s Dozen
Seal Material
One way music: I’ve lost my sheep
Internet:
– some great comic strip stories, including The Prodigal Son. Be careful about some of the more modern stories – you may not agree with their theology.
Includes ideas for celebrating Christian festivals, as well as stories with a Christian
message. Useful for finding ideas linked to themes.
A host of links to collective worship sites, including multi-media and topical resources and ideas for reflection
A practical and helpful site which includes a teachers’ survival kit and helpful hints for both teachers and clergy on visits to churches. Hands-on advice about lots of general and specific issues.
Christian illustrations and powerpoint storyboards that you can use ready made or customise. Full instructions are included.
Excellent sections on tricky topics such as coping with death but also some very good general advice. Some material would be good for linking with RE, such as a Judaism view of Harvest.
Good all-round resources and very clear plans for different acts of worship. The ‘ferstivals’ section provides some good resources for RE.
Subscription site that allows you to tailor collective worship to your own needs
Focused on the environment & conservation. Links worship to classroom activities.
Values for Life: Collective Worship plans
Telling the Bible by Bob Hartman
The Lion Bible
Arch Books
Power points
Assembly books
Artefacts: Church House, Hove, Pestalozzi [Global Dimensions Project]
Pause to reflect, Pause for reflection: ideas for displays
Creating a multi-sensory spiritual garden in your school.
Monitoring and evaluating worship
Worship is monitored regularly by the Head and Governors.
Children are encouraged to comment.
Jonathan Elms
September 2016
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