Collective Worship

Collective Worship Plans

Worship is planned each half term with a value focus. It is planned by the Collective Worship Lead, then discussed with worship leaders from the church and in school, before being shared with staff to give them an opportunity to discuss, add or change anything. The plan is then finalised and followed by all. The theme for each week’s collective worship is introduced on a Monday and revisited throughout the week. Time is also given during the year for reflections on the Church calendar; other faiths, global citizenship and current events.

Acts of worship often include secular and ritual aspects; these are a means of enabling worship and include:

• Lighting a candle
• Greetings and Dismissals
• Prayer
• Meditations
• Moments of silence
• Reflection
• Stories and readings from the Bible
• Sharing of personal experiences
• Worship songs, hymns and music
• Drama
• Artefacts, images, artwork and natural materials
• Children’s contributions – internal, verbal or written

Class Worship

We strive to empower and inspire every child to lead acts of worship, as well as participating in them. Every year, each child has the opportunity to lead class worship for a half term, as part of a worship team. The children lay the worship table, explaining the symbolism of the items and lay the liturgical ribbon. They plan and deliver acts of worship including scripture, prayers and reflection tasks that encourage their classmates to discuss key themes and share their thoughts and feelings intimately and openly in a safe, familiar and loving environment. The children enjoy this responsibility immensely and it is a highlight of our week in our classrooms! We feel this experience also helps the children to grow in confidence and to consider their own faith journey as they share in worship with one another more actively and personally. 

Resources

Every class has their own Worship Box and Worship File. The box consists of a Bible, a cross, a candle, ribbons of the liturgical colours and the Worship File. Items that support the theme/focus such as photographs and special objects are sometimes added by staff and/or children. Fabric for the table is included as well as wipe clean planning sheets for the children to use to plan their worship session. 

Our Worship Partners

We are very blessed to have regular visitors to lead some of our worship. Rev. Bob, Sue Smither and Pastor Ray Tate are much loved members of our school family, who through worship deliver important messages to children and staff which encourage us all to think, reflect and talk about God and our own personal faith too. Rev. Bob and Sue Smither join us from St Luke’s Church, and Pastor Ray Tate (although technically retired!) works across schools and churches in the local area. He also has a YouTube channel: ‘Ray Tate, Be Blessed’.

Worship Areas

We have a worship table in each of our halls which serve as focal points for collective worship. Each classroom has a designated worship table and during class worship, a table is set by the children for their worship.