Collective worship (known as 'Worship Time') plays a very important role in the life of the school community. Daily collective worship enables pupils and adults to flourish spiritually. It is an opportunity to explore our Christian Vision and Values, promote the Christian foundation of our school and allow children to explore and encounter faith that demonstrates how our school's vision impacts and supports all aspects of our lives.

All worships are underpinned by our common understanding of spirituality in our school,

“how I explore, share, reflect and grow into the person I want to be.” 

Spiritual flourishing is a main focus of worship, exploring pictures, reflecting on images and stories in giving opportunities for children to see themselves as spiritual beings. Collective worship is enhanced and enriched through the use of big questions, looking at big pictures, reflecting on the beauty and joy of the world and considering messages in Bible stories in order to give a rounded approach to developing an individual's spirituality. Our "Window of Wonder" worship every Friday always proves very popular.

Our worship, Anglican in its foundation, follows a Gather- Engage- Reflect- Send format and children know the structure and what to expect. During the ‘Gather’ stage, children hear and sing along to music and a whole school refrain is spoken to signal coming together for a special time. ‘Engage’ offers children the opportunity to explore a new concept, hear a story and is Biblical in its rooting. ‘Reflection’ offers children the opportunity for stillness and prayer thinking about how and why a concept resonates with them. Our ‘Send’ is always the big question of the week- a question the children and adults are left to further deliberate and discuss, followed by child led prayers and our song of choice. 

With a range of coverage through the week and pitching the worship from different angles, we aim for it to be as inclusive, invitational, and inspirational as possible. Christian celebration opportunities are always a highlight on our calendar for clergy guests and all parents, carers, volunteers and community members.  Collective worship is broad, diverse, and relevant to all.

As a school in a village with two main denominations- Church of England, Evangelical and families that attend both settings, we are careful to value the input that clergy from both can offer us. On a fortnightly programme clergy members offer biblical stories and teachings, that link to our weekly theme, that enrich our worship with a further understanding of theology in a simplistic and child-friendly approach. We work closely with Reverend Simon Woodley, our reverend at our local church, St James' and Ross Wilkinson, Pastor at Alderholt Chapel. We continue to learn from the ‘Open the Book’ team of parishioners who tell Bible Stories through drama, which the children greatly enjoy.

Our parent's say...

“Welcoming, enjoyable for all and inclusive”

“It’s always lovely to see the ambassadors with the candles, hearing them

lead prayer and songs”.