Collective Worship Policy

Collective Worship Policy for St.Margaret Mary’s Catholic Infant School.

Collective worship in St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Infant School is the coming together of children and staff for the purpose of worshiping, praising, thanking, celebrating and deepening our relationship with God.

The school has a Catholic foundation and therefore, whilst respecting diversity of belief and commitment, it reflects and follows the traditions of the Church and has Christ at its heart.

The worship includes all those who seek to explore and deepen their spiritual beliefs, enabling all members of the community to express and reflect their shared understanding.

All children are involved and are given an opportunity to respond in an act of daily worship. This gives all involved, time to contemplate the mystery of God, the wonder of life and to draw us closer to God. On these occasions children are given opportunities to participate, to reflect and to respond.

Aims for Collective Worship.

• To promote and develop an appreciation of, and more active participation in, prayer, liturgy and worship, relevant to the age and experience of each child.
• To consider spiritual and moral issues and to explore their own beliefs.
• To reinforce positive attitudes to prayer.
• To develop links with the parish community.
• To reinforce home/school/parish links.
• To foster in each child a sense of wonder and joy in creation and to promote an understanding of responsibility for their world.
• To affirm and develop individual dignity.
• To give children the opportunity to build a personal relationship with God.

Objectives for Collective Worship.

• To provide a daily act of worship for pupils and staff.
• To provide a prayer focus for each classroom.
• To provide opportunities for reflection and silent prayer.
• To encourage a variety of methods of prayer.
• To gather together to celebrate the special times in the school calendar and liturgical year.

Organisation for Collective Worship.

The Headteacher and Leadership Team establish arrangements for Collective Worship, in consultation with the staff and Governing Body.

The Headteacher will ensure that Collective Worship is provided each day for each child.

It will feature on every class timetable in class, year group or whole school gatherings.

The Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or a member of the Leadership Team will lead worship for larger groups.

In class, the Class Teacher or a group of pupils will usually lead Collective Worship.

Resources

Resourcing Collective Worship is achieved largely through the R.E budget. Resources are too many to list.

• Each class has a set of cloths in the appropriate liturgical colours for the churches year and other resources to provide choices for a focus for worship within the classroom.
• Each year group has an additional stock of shared resources.
• In addition there is a large variety of whole school resources held centrally in the school hall.

Guidelines for the delivery of Collective Worship.

Classroom

• 5 – 10 minutes in duration.
• Atmosphere for prayer assisted by candles, music, artefacts, display of children’s work.
• Include an opportunity for prayer and quiet reflection.
• Led by teacher, pupils or a combination.
• Use of scripture, poetry, hymns, prayers.

Assembly

• No more than 10 minutes in duration.
• Always include opportunity for prayer and scripture.
• May include poetry, story, and hymns.
• Encourage parental and parish support.
• Enable children to grow in confidence within a liturgical setting.

Conclusion

Every effort will be made to ensure that frequent discussion and revisiting of the Collective worship Policy will take place in order to develop fully our Faith Community. This is a continuous process requiring a close partnership between teachers and pupils and the involvement of others as appropriate.

The governing body will review this policy annually and any amendments, which may be deemed to be necessary, will be made accordingly.