ST. ALDHELM’S CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL
Collective Worship Policy Statement
RATIONALE:
To provide an opportunity for children to create and participate in shared experience of celebration, praise and thanksgiving to God in accordance with the requirements of the Education Reform Act of 1988, the Trust Deed of the School, and the recommendations of the Diocesan Board of Education.
AIMS:
- To encourage children’s natural sense of wonder of God’s creation and to develop their qualities of curiosity, celebration and gratitude which form the foundation of worship.
- To offer children an opportunity for experiential understanding of the adoration of God in a way that is individual and appropriate for them, and which allows them to function comfortably in their own worship.
GUIDELINES:
- An act of worship will take place each day. Sometimes these will involve the whole school but on some days separate acts will be held for individual classes and/or separate Key Stages.
- The worship will be planned to be relevant, meaningful and inclusive and will allow for a variety of responses, from awareness and appreciation through respect and commitment to devotion and adoration.
- Themes for collective worship are written in advance. The theme for each week contributes to understanding of a larger theme (‘The Bigger Picture’) which is explored across a term. Where possible, at least one Old Testament and one New Testament story are introduced per term.
- The major festivals of the Church year are taken into account when planning worship. Opportunities for linking with St. Aldhelm’s Church are sought, e.g. through holding services at the church on key occasions.
- The act of worship will be taken by members of the teaching staff, clergy, or by carefully selected visitors. The plan is made available to those taking collective worship, (see Appendix for example).
- Each class will lead an act of worship for the rest of the school on two occasions during the year. Pupil participation will be an important feature of the church services.
- The Act of Worship will follow a recognisable format:
· The worship will be about 10-15 minutes
· There will be a hymn or song of praise at an appropriate point which, whenever possible, will relate to the theme of the week and will have Christian content
· There will be a quiet time for reflection and prayer. Prayers will be taken from a variety of sources including the pupils’ own work
· Worship will have a clear focus and will often involve pupil participation
· Elements used in the worship may include music (CDs, tapes, singing, instrumentalists playing), listening to stories, drama, looking at artefacts, listening to passages from the bible
· The cross will be placed on a table at the front where it can be clearly seen by pupils and a candle will be lit during collective worship
· The table will be covered by a cloth in a colour which reflects the altar cloth colour for the time of the church year
· Notices are given at the beginning or end of assembly and are separate from the act of worship
RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL:
The Education Reform Act 1988 makes provision of pupils and teachers to withdraw from collective worship. Parents wishing to exercise this right are asked to express their wish in writing to the headteacher. This information is included in the School Prospectus.
EVALUATION:
The Governor with responsibility for Collective Worship will attend at least two acts of worship of each type during the year. Verbal feedback will be offered and a feedback sheet completed which will, over time, form a record of the different types of experience offered to the children. Pupils will be invited to contribute to the evaluation process through the School Council and through the monitoring of pupil views.
CONCLUSION:
Children should see the Act of Worship as a time when teachers and pupils may express joy and thankfulness, share concerns and experiences, and affirm beliefs and values of the school community and the Christian Church of which they are part.
This policy statement has been written in accordance with the Mission Statement, the Aims of the School and the Ethos Statement. It is subject to review as part of the schedule of policy review as set by the governing body.