Collective Worship

Collective Worship 

We dedicate part of the day called Assembly in which Collective Worship takes place. Collective worship is the unique heartbeat of a Church school and is offered as part of a wider opportunity for pupils and adults to encounter faith by engaging in conversations about God, both as individuals and together. This is a special and sacred time of the day where we come together as a community to thank, celebrate and receive wisdom and inspiration of some kind. It is an opportunity for children to consider spiritual and moral issues and explore their own beliefs.  

Worship may find expression in many different forms: in music, song, dance, drama, in words of praise, in prayers, readings and teachings, in listening, in thoughtful silence, in meditation, in contemplation of symbols, in the service the lighting of a candle and other symbolic actions. 

At Ardleigh St. Mary’s, Collective Worship as an important part of each child’s experience in school. As a Christian School we seek to provide a spiritual experience with the atmosphere of collective worship providing an opportunity for pupils to worship God. In keeping with statutory requirements, we provide a broadly based Christian collective worship opportunity for pupils everyday. The children are taught Christian values and become familiar with the teachings of the Bible. Assembly programmes are planned termly around set themes and will relate as closely as possible to seasons in the Church Year. The pupils will take an active part in many assemblies through drama, music, their own prayers and other ways which are unique to individual children.

Our Worship is led by a wide group of people including the Head of School, teachers and visiting Clergy. Each week we have a Pray and Praise Assembly when children are encouraged to enjoy learning new songs which we use in our daily worship. We celebrate achievement each week at our Celebration Collective Worship. Many of the main Christian festivals are celebrated and we visit our local Church, St Mary’s during the year.

Our Collective Worship programme is planned in advance and covers each term and following the Christian church year calendar. The resource we use to support this programme is Roots and Fruits.   In Roots and Fruits , 12 Christian values are explored in a 2 year programme of fully worked, creative material: Compassion, Courage, Forgiveness, Friendship, Generosity, Justice, Perseverance, Respect, Service,  Thankfulness. Trust, Truthfulness.

Each assembly follows a pattern and includes the four elements of Welcome, Learning, Reflecting and Responding – which match the Windows, Mirrors, Doors strategy that has proved so popular with teachers.

A sacred time and place for a holy moment

Collective Worship is a joyous and spiritual experience where the community comes together to thank, celebrate and receive wisdom and inspiration.  It can also be described as a sacred time and place where children and adults have the opportunity to experience a holy moment. 

A Holy Moment

The act of worship is an opportunity to celebrate, thank and receive wisdom and inspiration of some kind. It is this wisdom and inspiration or transformational change that can be described as a ‘Holy’ or ‘spiritual moment’.  For some it can be described as that ‘light bulb’ moment.  This is the spiritual or holy moment - internalising the content that may change their thoughts or feelings towards something that may lead to a positive change so the community can live well together and live life in all its fullness (John 10:10).

This moment  may or may not be religious. 

For a person with no faith, Collective Worship gives them the opportunity to ponder and reflect on the spiritual dimension of humanity and or/ the wider world and the universe. 

A Sacred time and place 

A sacred time and place means Collective Worship should be a valued, special and an uninterrupted part of the day.  The tone, ethos and set up must be conducive to creating this holy moment.

As a Church of England School we have close links with St. Mary’s Church:

• School services are held at the Church at Harvest time, Christmas and Easter.