What is Collective Worship?

Collective Worship is at the heart of our school community. Recognising its historic foundation, the school seeks to preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at Parish and Diocesan level.

Our school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. Worship offers all members of our school family - children and adults alike - opportunities to reflect on life’s big questions, explore faith and experience awe, wonder and stillness.

Worship reflects and reinforces our GROW Values:

• Grateful – give thanks everyday
• Respectful – remember our manner
• Outstanding – only ever try our best
• Welcoming – walk around school wearing a smile

These values shape the way we live, learn and treat one another. Worship is inclusive, invitational and inspiring, allowing everyone to engage at their own level of faith, belief, or curiosity. In doing so, it promotes spiritual flourishing and a sense of belonging for all.

Each half-term, we have a whole school focus throughout Collective Worships, linked strongly to Christian Values. We use a programme called Roots and Fruits where each Collective Worship follows four elements; Welcome, Learning, Reflecting and Responding.

During Collective Worship, we light a candle to show that God is with us and each class brings a decorated, wooden cross to Worship. At the end of Collective Worship, although the candle is extinguished, the crosses return to class to show that God is still with us and to remind us of the message shared in Worship.

Throughout the week, Collective Worship is experienced in a variety of different formats:

• Monday: Whole school worship led by senior leaders.
• Tuesday: Years 5 & 6 engage in Oracy-based Worship using Roots and Fruits; Years 3 & 4 participate in Class Worship using Picture News.
• Wednesday: Groups switch activities to ensure balance and parity of experience.
• Thursday: Whole school worship led by members of Osmaston Road Church.
• Friday: Whole school celebration worship, recognising pupils who have demonstrated our GROW Values throughout the week.

For special times in the Christian Calendar, we hold our Collective Worship at Ozzy Road Church. 

Our collective worship provides pupils and staff with the opportunity to:

• Flourish spiritually through reflection, wonder and response.
• Live out our GROW Values, strengthening character and community.
• Explore Christian values and their impact on daily life.
• Engage in an act of community that celebrates unity and diversity.
• Experience awe, stillness, joy and gratitude.
• Reflect on the character and teachings of Jesus.
• Deepen understanding of the Christian faith and learn from other world faiths.
• Explore British Values - democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance - through a spiritual lens.
• Celebrate diversity and promote equality by recognising the importance of the Protected Characteristics outlined in the Equality Act (2010).
• Encourage courageous advocacy, compassion, and hope.
• Share joys and challenges together as a school family.
• Celebrate special times within the Christian calendar and other key cultural or national moments.

If you wish to join us for a Collective Worship then please contact the School Office.