Collective Worship

Rationale

Collective worship at Langley First School takes place daily in accordance with the provisions of the Education Reform Act, 1988. The content of all our acts of worship is in accordance with the aims of the school. The governors and Headteacher have prepared this policy with the assistance from the teacher co-ordinating collective worship.

Aims

We aim to provide collective worship that provides pupils with the opportunity to:

  • Worship that which is considered worthy
  • Consider spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues
  • Explore their own beliefs
  • Develop their spirituality
  • Develop a community spirit
  • Reinforce positive attitudes
  • Participate and respond
  • Promote a common ethos and shared values
  • Develop respect and sensitivity for the beliefs and values of others

 

Definition of Collective Worship

Collective worship is the time set aside for other aspects of school life when pupils are given the opportunity to learn and reflect on a variety of issues which may evoke in them a worshipful or spiritual response.

The contribution of Collective Worship to aspects of the curriculum

Collective worship can contribute to the SMSC development of the pupils through:

  • Reflection on their own beliefs and values and the beliefs of others
  • Influencing behaviour
  • Celebrating together
  • The celebration of their own religions and traditions and the religions and cultural traditions of others.
  • Providing different perspectives on aspects of life, promoting thinking skills and understanding, and encouraging further research

Management of Acts of Worship

Management of collective worship will take place through the collective worship co-ordinator, the Headteacher, governors and different year groups.

Organisation

Collective worship takes place on a daily basis for all year groups either in a whole school or key stage. Acts of worship will usually last 10 minutes, although it is recognised that the time might be extended, as appropriate.

Planning Acts of Collective Worship

All acts of collective worship will be carefully planned to take into account the needs, ages, aptitudes and backgrounds of the pupils. A termly schedule of Act of Worship Themes will be drawn up with a different theme for each week.

The schedule will include religious festivals and events of a national or international nature, but will be flexible enough to accommodate topical issues and current affairs. The schedule will indicate who within the school will deliver each act of collective worship and include opportunities for collective worship to be led by visiting speakers.

Monitoring and evaluation of Acts of Collective Worship

Regular monitoring and evaluation of acts of collective worship will be undertaken by the collective worship co-ordinator and governors. Feedback will inform practice and assist decision-making in relation to the themes chosen and issues to do with delivery, visiting speakers and pupil participation. Good practice will be disseminated across the school community and to help plan the schedules for the following year.

Withdrawal of pupils form collective worship

In accordance with legal requirements, parents have the right to withdraw their children for acts of collective worship. Parents should make their wishes known to the Headteacher who will ensure that any pupils who are withdrawn are appropriately supervised while the act of worship takes place.

Resources

Resources available for collective worship are stored in the RE cupboard and he Headteacher’s office. These include the SEAL materials used in the delivery of PSHE. Resources are reviewed on an annual basis.

Monitoring

The collective worship team will ensure that the acts of collective worship fulfil the legal requirements and maintain the spirit of the law. In particular, collective worship will:

  • Be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character while ensuring that the other world religions are considered and valued.
  • Contribute to the SMSC development of all pupils
  • Draw on all areas of the curriculum as well as contribute to the curriculum

Evaluation

Members of the worship team will ask for regular verbal comments from pupils, staff and visitors.

  • The view of pupils and staff will be sought and collated on a termly basis to help enhance the delivery of collective worship and to improve the collective worship schedule.
  • Visitors will be asked for feedback on their experience of delivering collective worship in school
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