Hampton Wick Infant & Nursery School
COLLECTIVE WORSHIP
POLICY
This policy was adopted/updated: January 2014
This policy will be reviewed: January 2017 or as needed
Governor Committee Responsibility: Achievement and Curriculum
Statutory policy: Yes
Source: School
HAMPTON WICK INFANT AND NURSERY SCHOOL
COLLECTIVE WORSHIP POLICY
Introduction
The aim of the collective worship policy is to provide the opportunity for pupils to worship God, reflect on values that are of a broadly Christian nature and on their own beliefs, develop a community spirit, a common ethos and shared values, consider spiritual and moral issues, be respectful and respond to the worship offered and have a sense of togetherness which engenders a sense of belonging
Statutory Duty of School
All maintained schools provide daily collective worship for registered pupils (apart from those who have been withdrawn by their parents/carers). This is usually provided within a daily assembly.
The head teacher is responsible (under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998) for arranging the daily collective worship after consulting with the governing body. Daily collective worship must be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character. The precise nature will depend on the family background, ages and abilities of the pupils. However, if it is inappropriate for some or all of the pupils to take part in Christian collective worship, the head teacher may apply to the local Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) for a determination to have this requirement lifted.
Collective Worship is the statutory duty for daily, group size reflection for all children who are 5 years upwards. Therefore, it is a must for our Key Stage 1 pupils and part of daily good practice for Reception classes, particularly from the summer term onwards. For nursery children, good practice would be for children to be offered the opportunity to think and reflect about a given situation.
Best Practise
The daily dedicated Act of Worship must have a clear message, a dedicated focus for example, a lit candle, a vase of flowers, an artefact/picture that reflects something of what you have been talking about. The member of staff should be clear about how they are leading the children into a period of reflection, input, questions which is relevant to their age and stage. There should be a dedicated opportunity for the children to offer a response to the input or to offer a prayer related to the input or an opportunity for silent reflection.
If there is a prayer, children need to be offered the opportunity to put their hands together or to put their hands in their lap, to listen, be still and reflective and if they wish, to join in the amen response. Prayers can be addressed to God.
It is not appropriate to make the children repeat a prayer if they do not wish, join their hands if they do not wish, say amen if they do not wish, address prayers to a particular higher being other than God e.g. Mary, Jesus, Buddha, Allah, always have prayers, Intersperse Collective Worship with reflection, silence or discussion.
We expect children to be respectful, act in an appropriate manner, have the daily opportunity for a sense of togetherness which engenders a sense of belonging, have an understanding that the worship is not done for pupils but is an experience for all who attend. It should be planned to nurture children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
We expect staff to lead where applicable in the agreed manner, including class assemblies, respond to collective worship in an appropriate manner, develop links with faith groups and at times, offer them the opportunity to lead assemblies and collective worship in the agreed format for our school.
Implementation
Collective worship, whether in assembly or class time, will be a dedicated opportunity for children to reflect/respond to the input, have a clear message, be acceptable to the whole community; staff and pupils, include a variety of elements at different times, involve the pupils and have a dedicated focus which signifies what is being reflected upon.
In achieving a meaningful act of worship it is important to distinguish between worship and ritual. Rituals such as prayer, hymns and readings from the Scriptures are means to worship, not worship in themselves. Other means to worship are as valid. There are many ways of enabling worship for example; stories and readings, songs, hymns and music, dance and drama, prayer, meditation, creative silence, sacred/secular readings, artefacts and natural materials and children’s contributions e.g. Year 2 School Council.
We will remain aware of the timing of religious festivals and any specific requirements relating to them. An annual calendar of religious festivals is displayed in the staff room and in each classroom.
It is useful to start from the children’s own experience, and develop to the broader and more lasting concerns of life (R.E. and Collective Worship. . N.A.H.T.).
In preparing an Assembly it may be helpful to consider three aspects:
Experiences that have the character of pre-worship which are joy, the essence of worship, attending to the divine, consequences of worship for example moral and ethical values and renewed and directed characteristics, for example courage.
As part of our collective worship, children will have the opportunity to be quiet and reflect on what has been shared. Children and/or adults will lead the prayer session and children will be invited to put their hands together/hands on their laps and be quiet, calm and respectful.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Review
The school will review this policy annually and assess its implementation and effectiveness. The policy will be promoted and implemented throughout the school.
The Right to Withdraw
Parents/ carers have a right to withdraw their children from Religious Education (RE) and collective worship. If a parent/ carer asks for their child to be wholly or partly excused from attending any RE or collective worship at the school the school must comply unless the request is withdrawn.
A school remains responsible for the supervision of any child withdrawn from RE or collective worship, unless the child is lawfully receiving RE, or taking part in collective worship elsewhere.
Parents do not need to explain their reasons for seeking withdrawal. To avoid any misunderstanding, the head teacher may wish to clarify with any parent/ carer wanting to withdraw:
· The religious issues about which the parent/ carer would object their child being taught the practical implications of withdrawal.
· The circumstances in which it would be reasonable to accommodate parent/ carers wishes.
· If a parent/ carer will require any advanced notice of such issue in the future and if so, how much.
The right of withdrawal was established in the Education Act 1944 and re-enacted in the Education Reform Act 1988 s9(3).
Appendix
Autumn Term Assembly Themes and Acts of Worship
Key Stage 1
Week / Tuesday(Heidi) / Wednesday
(KS1) / Thursday
(Emma/ Louise)
1 / Welcome Back to School!
Revision of codes and High expectaions / New Friends / New Beginnings . SEAL New Beginnings story
2 / Revision of the 5R’s / Presentation of self and work / Trying your best
3 / Introduction of School Codes
What can we do in school / Belonging - families / Belonging . School Community
4 / What can we do at playtimes / Kind words and kind actions / Working together as a team
5 / Harvest Part 1
Food for us all – Harvest around the World / Harvest Poetry / SEAL – getting on and falling out
6 / Harvest part 2
World Vision or other charity- focus charity / Sharing resources and food with others / Taking care of others and school belongings
7 / Diwali / Festivals involving lights / Guy Fawkes and the Firework Code
8 / Poppies
Remembrance Day and The Royal British Legion / World War story / Say no to Bullying
9 / Information about the new build / Staying safe during the building work / Sharing
10 / Advent and who was Jesus / St Andrews Day / Teamwork
11 / Christmas Story / Hanukkah / Friends
12 / School Production / School Production / School Production
Monday assembly is exclusively for Music, Signing and Prayers.
Friday assembly is a celebration of good work & birthdays throughout the school.
Autumn Term Charity Fund-raising:
Harvest and Christmas charity
Spring Term Assembly Themes and Acts of Worship
Key Stage 1
Week / Tuesday(Heidi) / Wednesday
(KS1) / Thursday
(Emma/ Louise)
1 / Welcome Back to School! Revision of Codes and Expectations. / Team focus / SEAL - Going for Goals
2 / The Story of Job:
Testing times / How can we try our best even when we don’t feel like it / Citizenship: Why we help others
3 / Jonah and the Whale:
Rising to the challenge / Chinese New Year / Setting realistic goals
4 / The Wise Man and the Foolish Man / Making the right choices / PSHE – Considering the consequences of our actions
5 / Joseph and His Special Coat / Jealousy and forgiveness / Cultural Diversity week
Awareness of Cultural Diversity
6 / St Valentines Day / Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday / Going for Goals follow up - SEAL
7 / David and Goliath / David and Goliath / It’s good to be Me!- SEAL
8 / The Good Samaritan / St David’s Day / Friends and neighbours
9 / Samuel, the boy who listened to God / Spring is springing! / Skills and talents
10 / Mothering Sunday / St Patricks Day / Special things about friends
11 / Palm Sunday / Holi: Festival of colour / Compliments
12 / The Easter Story / New Life / It’s Good to be Me follow up
Monday assembly is exclusively for Music, Signing and Prayers.
Friday assembly is a celebration of good work & birthdays throughout the school.
Summer Term Assembly Themes and Acts of Worship
Key Stage 1
Week / Tuesday(Heidi) / Wednesday
(KS1) / Thursday
(Emma/ Louise)
1 / Welcome back to school!
Revision of school codes and expectations / High expectations for this term / SEAL - Relationships
2 / Manners and why we should use them / St George’s Day / Family and friends
3 / Manners- please use them they are part of our kit bag of life skills / Follow up on Relationships Japanese children’s Day. / Focusing on Friendship
4 / Responsibility- taking on a job to do! / Attitude to learning / Appreciating the people who care for us
5 / Respect . what it means and how we show it. / Judaism - Passover / Helping others
6 / Honesty
Good Words / Good Words / Kindness
7 / Good words
Self esteem / World Environment Day / How can we change our feelings when we feel angry or sad?
8 / The Voice Inside
Conscience – how do we know what is right to do? / Father’s Day / What is changing for you next year?
9 / Getting ready to join the Y2 SC / Being a Good Citizen / SEAL - Changes
10 / The voice inside
Choosing the right thing to do, even when others are not / Summer Solstice / What we are looking forward to
11 / Moving forward / Celebration of achievements / Investigating the process of change
12 / End of school year celebration assembly / What are you looking forward to? / SEAL – Moving on and
Changes follow up
Monday assembly is exclusively for Music, Signing and Prayers.
Friday assembly is a celebration of good work & birthdays throughout the school.