Collective Worship

As a Church of England (VC) Primary School, Norton in Hales School’s worship policy follows the minimum standards for all schools as set out in the 1988 Education Reform Act and in also is line with the beliefs and practices of the Church of England. As a Church school we know that God is at the centre of all that is best.  Collective worship is therefore a very important part of the life of our school and this policy draws on the advice from the Diocese of Lichfield’s Board of Education.

Aims of Collective Worship

• Our collective worship contributes to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our pupils, as appropriate to their ages and aptitudes.  For example it helps pupils’ spiritual development by teaching them about God and giving them the opportunity to worship Him together.
• It offers pupils the opportunity to hear about God from the Bible, to develop their own relationship with Him through prayer and to reflect on themselves and their place in His world It encourages silent reflection, helping children to recognise the spiritual dimension of life.
• It helps pupils’ moral development by taking time to become aware of different life values, teaching respect for other faiths, while developing a common ethos and shared values based on Christian standards.
• It promotes pupils’ social development by helping them feel part of a community and by reinforcing positive attitudes to others.  Our worship will encourage participation and response, whether through active involvement in the presentation of worship or through listening to and joining in the worship offered.
• It helps pupils’ cultural development by drawing on our Christian heritage through the Bible and other key writings and through religious festivals and practices.  Pupils are also given the opportunity to experience and respond to appropriate music, literature, art and artefacts.

Organisation of Collective Worship

It is the responsibility of the Governors, of Norton in Hales School, to arrange the programme for collective worship after consulting with the Headteacher.

• Worship is of a Christian character, in accordance with the denominational character of the school. 
• The termly themes are planned appropriatley with the ages and abilities of the children involved.
• We provide an act of worship for all pupils every day, thus fulfilling our statutory duty, organised as follows;

 How is Collective Worship planned?

All acts of worship have a Bible story or Bible passage at their heart.  Key ideas and key teaching from Christianity are always the focus.  The intention is that the ideas should be developed with this in mind. Links are made to ensure that our core school values are reflected in every Collective Worship.

A structured approach is taken in order to maintain a regularity and familiarity both for those leading the worship and for the school community participating in it.  It is familiar to all those who lead worship including representatives of our local church who assist in leading worship. The framework follows a 3 part structure:

• Windows
• Mirrors
• Doors

Care is taken to make the setting for the act of worship special for the occasion.  Music is played as children enter and leave and symbolic artefacts (e.g. a lit candle) and displays reflect the liturgical colours which are used as a point of focus for reflection. Collective Worship is planned to be delivered in a variety of ways including music, art, songs, stories and discussion ending with a time for prayer and reflection.

 Special Services and Church Links

Special services are held in the church of St Chad's at the end of each term, allowing pupils to participate in a Harvest, Christmas, Easter and End of Year service.  Parents and Governors are invited to join us in these services.

 The Liturgical Year

The shape of the Church’s Year is reflected throughout the terms as follows:

 Term 1 – Harvest

Term 2 – Advent and Christmas

Term 3 – Epiphany and Lent

Term 4 – Easter

Term 5 - Pentecost

 Participation in and withdrawal from Collective Worship

Although worship has such a central part in our school life, parents have a legal right to withdraw their children from this school activity.  Before reaching a decision to exercise this right, however, parents would be encouraged to discuss the issue fully with the Headteacher.  Pupils who are withdrawn from school worship must be supervised at this time and will undertake a curriculum activity during this time.

Children leading Worship 

Our children are working hard to plan, prepare and lead their own class worships using the 'Flippin Praise' prompts. Planning their own worship ensures that pupils have opportunities to encounter the teachings of Jesus in their own special way. 

Samples of Collective Worship PPT