Collective worship


The Lord says, ‘I will instruct you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.’ Psalm 32:8
OUR VISION & VALUES

The Lord says, ‘I will instruct you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.’ Psalm 32:8
Inspired by our vision, the schools has three dynamics at the heart of its mission: Living, Learning & Flourishing together.
Living – We live as role models and advocate good choices under Gods eye
Learning – We learn in all we do with a loving eye upon us
Flourishing – We flourish in the way we go, within our school and into the world beyond
Our five Core Values are: Kindness – Koinonia – Compassion – Responsibility – forgiveness
We follow the Christian Values for Life programme where children focus on one value per half term.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

A Christian school is one in which the entire atmosphere is pervaded by the conviction that there is something mysterious and potentially wonderful in everybody… That sense that people are worth spending time with, people need time to grow, people need loving attention.
Rowan Williams
The legal requirement for acts of worship in voluntary-controlled schools differs to community schools. All registered pupils (apart from those whose parents exercise the right to withdraw) must ‘on each school day, take part in an act of collective worship’. In accordance with the aims and values of the school, this worship should be consistent with the beliefs and practices of the Church of England and therefore, at Great Massingham and Harpley acts of worship will be Christian in character. Acts of worship take place on the school premises or in our partner churches, St Mary’s Great Massingham and St Lawrence’s Harpley.
We aim that Collective Worship promotes and supports achievement and growth in five aspects of pupils’ religious learning. These are:
● A knowledge of Christianity; its stories, traditions, festivals, worship and teachings
● An understanding of Christian life and worship which may, if the pupil chooses, form the basis of an adult faith
● An awareness of life’s spiritual dimension
● A sense of Christian morality through the Values for Life and Core Values
● A knowledge and respect for the other major world faiths and beliefs
Through the above, we aim to help children to:
● equip themselves and others ‘in the way you should go… with a loving eye on you’
● gather together as a school family (“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” Matthew
18:20)
● develop an awareness of spiritual and moral issues within their own life experiences and those of others
● cultivate respect of others, as individuals, made in the image of God
● foster feelings of awe and wonder
● develop knowledge, understanding and respect for the range of religious and cultural practices found within: their
own community; the local area; Britain and internationally
● develop an understanding of what it means to be committed to a religious tradition
● develop inquisitive minds that are willing to investigate, research, question and empathise to enable them to make
reasoned judgements about religious issues.
● bring prayer to God and Jesus, for a variety of reason and for a range of people (including praising, asking, thanking
and saying sorry – PATS)
● celebrate their God-given talents, gifts and achievements
ANGLICAN FAITH AND PRACTICE

In order to provide acts of Collective Worship that reflect the faith and practice of the Church of England:
We use the Bible as a sourcebook for inspiration and learning and make pupils familiar with the Lord’s Prayer, psalms and other verses of scripture.  We also introduce them to a variety of well-known prayers – many of which express the central beliefs of Christians throughout the ages.
We use aspects of Anglican liturgy to create a framework for worship.  We use Christian symbols as a focus for reflection and provide opportunities to discover the value of meditation and silence.  We observe the cycle of the Anglican year including celebrations of the major Christian festivals.
As worship is a special part of our day, we provide a worship space which is attractive and well prepared with appropriate thought having been given to colour, space, seating, ambience and music.
We actively seek to develop church partnerships to enhance our provision for collective worship. This includes the local Anglican church and other Christian denominations. We view our schools as part of the global church and aim to provide opportunities for pupils to appreciate the diversity of Christianity.
RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL

Our school is based on an inclusive ethos; we expect all children to attend collective worship. However, we respect the right of any parent/guardian to request permission for their child to be excused and are committed to respecting individual beliefs. At Great Massingham & Harpley Primary Schools, we expect that withdrawal will only be made following discussions with the Headteacher and on receipt of written confirmation of withdrawal from acts of worship. We will make alternative arrangements for the supervision of those children granted withdrawal. The Headteacher will keep a record of all those children withdrawn from Collective Worship. At Great Massingham and Harpley Primary Schools, we expect teachers to take part in and lead acts of religious worship, if required by the Headteacher.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

Great Massingham and Harpley Primary Schools Federation is committed to equal opportunity for all irrespective of race, gender, religion, cultural background, ability or any physical or sensory disability. We believe that equal opportunity is at the heart of good educational practice and challenge any form of discrimination. Our ‘Vision and Values’ help to emphasise equal opportunities for all staff and pupils at all times. All staff and governors are responsible for ensuring that we implement this policy.
CONTENT

Planning of collective worship is undertaken by the Headteachers in consultation with the church team, the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Value Leaders and includes:
Expression of the school’s vision
Formulation of broad themes
Key Messages to be communicated
Consideration of special occasions and festivals in the church and faith calendar to be observed/celebrated
Groupings for collective worship – whole school (school-based), class-led church-based, in-class teacher-led, phase worship etc and the purposes of these
Leaders of worship, including contributions from any visitors
Christian values to be linked to the theme
Bible stories or biblical references to be linked to the theme
Key questions that might be asked/answered
Key spiritual, social, moral and cultural messages to be communicated
Resources to be used including books, artefacts, pictures, videos etc to support the key messages
Music, hymns, songs to enter to, sing along with, listen to or leave to
How each theme can be carried through into future collective worship sessions to embed phrases, approaches and key messages
Pupil participation and responses
Opportunities to reflect
How to ensure that worship is inclusive and makes everyone feel that they belong
Any world events, significant developments or key special days/occasions which contribute to the theme
Value Leaders help to prepare the hall for worship on a daily basis by setting up the hall: preparing the ‘altar’, getting songs and music ready and helping children to light the candle at the start of our act of worship.
Gathering: Music is played as the children enter the hall to set this aside as a sacred time. An ‘altar’ is always on display in the hall with appropriate artefacts to reflect the season of the church year including a cross and a candle.
The Word: Children are engaged through a verse from the Bible, a story, a visitor, or use of high-quality visual images. These reflect the current worship theme.
Response and reflection: Children are encouraged to offer their ideas and reflections. A range of responses are used.
The Mission: There is agreement about how children will take the lesson of collective worship out into the world.
Prayer: The children learn and say some of school prayers which include the Lord’s Prayer, the school creed.
The Holy Trinity is represented by:
God the father: bible
God the son: cross
God the Holy Spirit: candle
WORSHIP AND PRAYER LIFE 
Daily prayer is embedded in the school day with the following prayers being said throughout the day:
Lunchtime prayer in class KS2 – prayer chosen from the folder
KS1 – Thank you for the food prayer
Collective Worship Mon, Weds, Fri – School Creed
Tues, Thurs – Lord’s prayer
End of day prayer in class (If no CW at the close of the day) Thank you prayer
 
By whom and where? Aspects to be included
MON Headteacher-led collective worship Hall Whole school
Music to lead in and out
Focus on Vision, Christian Values and Values for Life and how these can inspire us and influence our thoughts and actions
Introduces the week’s theme
Includes personal experiences which children can relate to
Raises key questions and opportunities to answer these
May reflect local or world issues and/or key events in the Anglican calendar
May include elements to support cultural, moral, spiritual, social development
May include opportunities to develop our mission and reflect
School creed
Resources may include bible stories, psalms, books, photos, videos, pictures
May include quizzes, games or challenges
May include ‘Living our Values’ updates (yearly focus on charitable works overseas)
TUES Phase leader collective worship
Hall Whole school
Music to lead in and out
Led by Class Teacher (planning supported by SLT)
Follow on from HT collective worship at beginning of the week
Focus on Vision, Christian Values and Vales for Life and how these can inspire us and influence our thoughts and actions
Raises key questions and gives opportunities to answer these
May include elements to support cultural, moral, spiritual, social development
Opportunities for personal reflection
School creed
Opportunity for children to pray for others using PATS (end)
Resources may include photos, videos, pictures and tasks
WEDS Singing lead collective worship
Hall Whole school
Music to lead in and out
Focus on prayers for other schools, our community and events taking place in the world
Singing to praise (Christian-based hymns, songs and music)
New hymns, songs and music taught
Value leaders to lead prayer and reflection
THURS Phase leader collective worship
Hall Whole school
Music to lead in and out
Led by Class Teacher (planning supported by SLT)
Follow on from HT collective worship at beginning of the week
Focus on Vision and British Values and how these can inspire us and influence our thoughts and actions
Raises key questions and gives opportunities to answer these
May include elements to support cultural, moral, spiritual, social development
Opportunities for personal reflection
School creed
Opportunity for children to pray for others using PATS (end)
Resources may include photos, videos, pictures and tasks
FRI Headteacher-led Celebration of school values collective worship
Hall
Parents/carers invited Whole school
Music to lead in and out
Focus on our Values for Life and the contributions children have made towards these
May include charitable focus eg local and overseas
Celebrate God-given gifts, talents and achievements through presentation of a special mention
Prayer: school creed
THE UNIQUE NATURE OF COLLECTIVE WORSHIP
Assemblies are notably different in their content to collective worship which acknowledges a time to gather as a faith community, to pray, celebrate, sing, learn and develop as a school family. Assemblies may be held at other times to consider communication of events and messages which are not linked to the Christian character of the school. The term ‘assembly’ should not be used to describe the daily worship act which should be referred to as ‘collective worship’ or ‘worship’. Collective worship is not corporate worship (which assumes a group of people with shared beliefs) but a gathering of people who recognise the differing experiences, background and commitment of a group of people gathered in a school community. In some collective worship sessions, there may be a focus on singing or celebrating however, all collective worship will include time for prayer and reflection distinct to our Christian vision and values.
CLASSROOM PRAYER & REFLECTION FOCI
Each class has a prayer focus which is changed termly. These are managed by the class and class teacher, supported by the Children’s Vision and Values group. Prayer foci in each classroom should include:
Our vision statement
Our Christian values and current Value for Life
Could include:
Prayers to be said throughout the day
A lantern/candle
A plant
A prayer focus which encourage children to engage in prayer if they wish
An opportunity to ask for prayer for themselves or others
Staff and children should encourage a high level of regard for these spaces.
Pop-up prayer spaces are created on site to encourage children to access prayer. The HTs and Value leaders use the Prayer Spaces in Schools website to support planning.
VALUE LEADERS
Children apply to be Value Leaders for their school. These children work with the Headteachers, members of the SLT (Senior Leadership team) and staff team to enhance the vision and values of the school, to evaluate and contribute to the collective worship and prayer life and to ensure the school’s inclusive nature is maintained so children can live, learn and flourish together. Value Leaders will report findings to governors.
MONITORING
The programme of collective worship is led and managed by the Headteachers and planned in consultation with members of the SLT (Senior Leadership team) as well as staff and the children’s Value Leader team. Collective worship is monitored by staff and children, feeding back on the content, pitch, suitability and resources used in collective worship and engagement and encouraging children to share views and suggestions which will be taken on board when planning future collective worship programmes. The quality of collective worship is monitored by the Steering Committee which reports its findings to the Full Governing Body. This is done through Steering committee meetings, Full Governing Body meetings, visits to the school and church as well as Governor Focus Days.