Collective worship
What is Collective Worship?
At St John’s & St Peter's Collective Worship is a highly valued part of the school day as it is the time when we gather together to affirm what is important to us, to our school and to our world. Here, our school affirms and reflects the claims of Christianity underlying the aims, values and ethos of the school. It provides an opportunity for pupils to worship God, whilst seeking to be relevant to, and inclusive, of all. It reflects our Anglican tradition as well as exploring with pupils and staff a variety of ways in which Christians worship God.
Our Collective Worship is guided by our 4 key principles, and seeks to be Invitational, Accessible, Spiritual and Respectful. Daily Collective Worship forms an integral part of each day at St John's & St Peter',, bringing different elements of the school community together in an attitude of thanksgiving, reverence and reflection.
Why is Collective Worship important?
At St John's & St Peter's Collective Worship is highly valued and every effort is made to ensure that all children and staff take an active part in a high quality daily act of collective worship. Worship may contain many elements but we seek to specifically ensure that the act of collective worship is a learning experience as well as a spiritual encounter.
Through our various expressions of Collective Worship, we give each member of the school community an opportunity to:
- Foster a greater sense of community and global perspective
- Express adoration, praise and thanksgiving
- Affirm Christian Values and attitudes
- Develop self-awareness
- Acknowledge diversity and difference
- Be still and reflect
- Celebrate personal and collective achievement
What does Collective Worship look like in our schools?
//Devotion: loyalty, commitment or dedication to a purpose.
Typically, Collective Worship takes place through whole school assemblies. Inspired by our Jamaican partnership with Macintosh Memorial Primary, we now refer to these times as Devotions. The term ‘Devotion’ is used to describe a daily, prioritised time, dedicated to our collective aim and purpose of being ‘God’s love in action.’ Devotion may take place as a whole school, or in any place or at any time within the school day, for example, as part of a circle time class prayer and reflection.
Each week there is a different theme for our Devotions. These themes are planned by the SMSC Lead and relate to 3 core strands: The Bible & The Teachings of Jesus; Fundamental British Values and Social & Emotional Learning.
Our whole school Devotions are comprised of many different elements. Below shows an example of each different element, and how it may look in practice:
|
Element |
Example |
|
Welcome and Response |
Good morning! This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! |
|
Bible verse of the half term |
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. |
|
Praise and worship |
Creator God – Nick and Becky Drake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM4IVZuljEI I will praise you – Great Big God |
|
Teaching and Input |
Specific teaching taken from the planning written by the SMSC Lead. |
|
Affirmation |
I am an All Saints Student who values my education. I will take responsibility for my actions, both good and bad. I will make good choices and choose to do what is right. God made me unique and with no mistakes. Through God’s love in action, together we will achieve. |
|
Prayer and Reflection |
Dear God, Thank you for your creation. Thank you that you love each one of us. Sorry for the things we have done wrong today. Help us to remember the opportunities we have to be kind and loving. Amen. The peace of the lord be with you. And also with you. |