What is collective worship?

Collective Worship is a creative, reflective and spiritual experience, planned around the school’s Christian vision of ‘Learning to live together, together living to learn’.  ‘Learn from me’ (Matthew 11:29).

During Covid-19, collective worship moved to being provided via video. Videos of worship were shared in each class ‘bubble’. At the start of 2021/22, this will continue several times per week but with a move gradually towards the gathering of more than one year group in the hall together.

Our worships are structured as follows:

• A candle is lit as a focus and reminder that Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” John 8v12
• A child or adult leads the worship with the phrase, “The Lord be with you”, and everyone responds, “And with you.”
• Children enjoy a wide range of worship songs, often linked to our Christian values.
• A Bible story may be told, chosen to be related to the Christian theme as well as the needs of the children.
• There is opportunity for children to read a few well known verses from the Bible or a Psalm.
• Often there is a challenge to practical action – encouraging children to decide / choose to put God’s love into practice. For example, children may be encouraged to support the local Food Bank charity.
• Children have an opportunity to respond in prayer. We use the school prayer or the Lord’s Prayer and also encourage spontaneous prayers which may be led by the children.
• In a busy school day we make “Time for reflection.” Maybe a quiet time or using music as children take time to consider what they have heard.
• Finally, we often share the peace. This allows pupils to demonstrate their love and care for one another. “May the peace of the Lord be with you – and also with you.”
• The worship ends with a child or adult saying, “Go in the peace of God”. Everyone responds, “Thanks be to God”.
• The candle is then extinguished.