Worship
What is worship?
Our school ethos and values are the foundation to all that we do, they help each one of us to be the person God created us to be and together to create a community and world that flourishes.
Gathering together in worship as part of our regular rhythm and routine of our week provides the heartbeat to our school community and reminds us of the values we hold together.
Collective worship gives both pupils and staff the opportunity to:
- Engage in an act of community
- Be still and reflect
- Explore the big questions of life and respond to national events
- Foster respect and deepen spiritual awareness
- Reflect on the character of God and on the relevance of the teachings and example of Jesus
- Share each other's joys and challenges
As a Church school our worship will use Bible teaching as a basis but will always be a space to encourage openness, empathy and understanding of all faiths, beliefs and worldviews.
In each phase of our all-through school the format of our worship varies, but the high value we place on this part of our day is shared throughout. As a reminder of our all-through community, we share the same prayer for the week across every phase.
Primary Phase
We start each day with collective worship in our school hall. Pupils from each class have responsibility to bring their class worship candle into worship as a symbol that begins our special shared time together. Pupil Values Ambassadors have responsibility for ensuring our worship table is prepared and that each classroom has their own copy of our weekly prayer.
Our collective worship is regularly led by our Chaplain, senior leaders and by pupils.
We also have weekly music worship and enjoy singing as a regular part of our worship together.
Each Friday we have our celebration worship where we recognise the achievements of pupils throughout the week and particularly those who have been consistently demonstrating our school values.
Each classroom has their own worship table which serves as a focal point for daily moments of pause and reflection.
We enjoy regular opportunity to share in worship at our church – particularly marking significant moments such as the beginning of Reception or the end of Year 6, as well as the Christian festivals of Easter and Christmas.
Secondary Phase
We start each day with collective worship – this will be either in our Church, our Hall or in our Form rooms on a rota.
We worship as forms, as Communities and as Year groups and our worship will be led by our Chaplain, school leaders, guests and pupils throughout the year.
Our worship together always includes our prayer for the week and a shared theme and Bible verse connected to our values, ethos or church calendar of the year.
Each form room has a Worship board which displays our learning and reflections throughout the year.
Twice a year we gather in year groups for special Communion services which enable us to learn about this Christian practice and reflect on its meaning.
Sixth Form
In the busyness of this phase of school it is important that we continue to provide space for pause and reflection.
We share in Collective worship together once a week – either in our Church or in our Form rooms. This time is led by our Chaplain or students and is highly valued by students and staff alike as part of the holistic rhythm of the week.
Twice a year we gather for special Communion services which enable us to learn about this Christian practice and reflect on its meaning.