Definition: Collective Worship is the gathering of children and staff to explore or respond to beliefs and values through a range of shared activities.
At Whitbourne our aims of ‘Collective Worship’ are:
to enable pupils to reflect on their experiences of life;
to develop a sense of community and shared values;
to enhance the spiritual development of children;
to consider the needs of others;
to celebrate achievements of members of the school that are held to be of worth;
to foster reflection, meditation, prayer and silence;
to explore and enjoy praise and prayer
To enjoy and participate in Christian festivals, in a way that relates to the children’s experiences and to living together in a community.
We recognise that our children, parents and staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds with differing views on faith and commitment and our worship is sensitive to this issue. The context of our worship is Christian because we are a Church of England School. However, assemblies are organised so that everyone can participate in a way that makes sense to them.
Whilst parents have the right to withdraw their children from Collective Worship and RE, this does not extend to Assemblies where no Worship occurs.
Assemblies
Each day there is an assembly, which takes place in a family atmosphere during which an aspect of Christianity or moral issue is discussed. The children have the opportunity to reflect upon and develop their spiritual awareness. These assemblies are led by a variety of different people including pupils, staff members and the local clergy. The local clergy also visits the school on a regular basis and takes a class assembly every week.
Each week we have a ‘Singing’ assembly when the children are encouraged to learn new songs which we use in our whole school worship. We celebrate achievement each week at our Praise Assembly, where we recognise the achievement of our pupils and staff both within and outside school.
Many of the main Christian festivals are celebrated in our local church, St. John’s which is also visited throughout the year as part of different class topics. Parents, families and local nurseries are invited and encouraged to attend all our church services.
Collective worship
At Whitbourne our aims of ‘Collective Worship’ are:
We recognise that our children, parents and staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds with differing views on faith and commitment and our worship is sensitive to this issue. The context of our worship is Christian because we are a Church of England School. However, assemblies are organised so that everyone can participate in a way that makes sense to them.
Whilst parents have the right to withdraw their children from Collective Worship and RE, this does not extend to Assemblies where no Worship occurs.
Assemblies
Each day there is an assembly, which takes place in a family atmosphere during which an aspect of Christianity or moral issue is discussed. The children have the opportunity to reflect upon and develop their spiritual awareness. These assemblies are led by a variety of different people including pupils, staff members and the local clergy. The local clergy also visits the school on a regular basis and takes a class assembly every week.
Each week we have a ‘Singing’ assembly when the children are encouraged to learn new songs which we use in our whole school worship. We celebrate achievement each week at our Praise Assembly, where we recognise the achievement of our pupils and staff both within and outside school.
Many of the main Christian festivals are celebrated in our local church, St. John’s which is also visited throughout the year as part of different class topics. Parents, families and local nurseries are invited and encouraged to attend all our church services.