Policy for the Collective Act of Worship

SHAWCLOUGH COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL

POLICY FOR THE COLLECTIVE ACT OF WORSHIP

Manager: Julia Sandiford-Mitchell

Reviewed: September 2021

Reviewed: September 2020

Approved by Governors: June 2022

Next Review: September 2023

Collective Worship and the Law

In accordance with legal requirements (School Standards and Framework Act 1998) an act of collective worship, taking into account of the age, aptitude and background of the pupils,

“The arrangements for the required collective worship may, in respect of each school day, provide for a single act of worship for all pupils or for separate acts of worship for pupils in different age groups or in different school groups.”

The School Standards and Framework Act 1998

Parents have the right to withdraw children from Collective Worship, we would ask that parents discuss this with the headteacher directly.

Rationale

Inclusion is important to our vision and we aim for acts of worship to be inclusive of all pupils. There is an expectation that all pupils will be present. Careful preparation ensure that there are clear learning intentions for all pupils at different levels of understanding. Collective worship is first for the educational benefit of all pupils.

It is a shared activity that allows for a variety of responses and provides an opportunity for those of any religious faith or none to focus and reflect on stimuli, which allow the human spirit to respond with integrity. The school is committed to respect the integrity of the backgrounds from which pupils come.

The daily act of Collective Worship may take place in any place or any time in the school day – for example, as part of circle time and not necessarily as part of a daily assembly.

During Collective Worship we aim to:

Strengthen and support the school community and celebrate each unique individual member
Give expression to reaffirm and practise the values of the school community
Allow reflection and response to fundamental questions of life and those things that are of eternal concern and value to human beings
Celebrate and give thanks for achievements within the school, local and international community and occasions of significance, including festivals
Contribute to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils
Foster and enable a concern for the needs of others – recognition of the vulnerability of self and others
Lead pupils to a deeper knowledge and understanding of different faiths and world views
Provide members of the school community with the opportunity to:
- Experience stillness and quiet
- Experience a variety of forms of music, art, drama, story that lead to personal reflection
- Provide a foundation for a mature understanding and practice of worship in the future

Leadership, Planning and Evaluation of Collective Worship/Assemblies

The calendar for Collective Worship draws on broadly Christian foci, World Religious events and the school values. It is planned for by the coordinator for RE/Worship and evaluated by the Senior Leadership Team and Governors.

All pupils attend an Act of Collective Worship/Assembly each day within their bubble.

A whole school Collective Worship overview is devised each year, by SLT. Our rota of theme assemblies’ foci special times, e.g. Leavers’ service, special times of celebration such as Red Nose Day and Poppy Day of Remembrance

The SLT is responsible for monitoring Collective Worship. Children, teachers, and governors are all involved in evaluation of Collective Worship. Headteacher reports outcomes to the Governing Body.

Music and art as part of our act of worship

Music and videos are may be played during our assemblies to highlight that this is a special time for us to be together. We use music as part of our act of worship where appropriate to the theme as we see expressive arts as a medium able to evoke deep, intense feelings that are a part of an individual and theirs alone; memories, emotions of visual images.

The expressive arts used may be selected to enhance the atmosphere for worship, stillness and reflection or to inspire thought and talking points in the areas of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

The listening aspect of this time is also used to introduce children to;

Music of a variety of styles, cultures and traditions
A range of composers and famous works
Recognition and appraisal of a range of musical elements

Monitoring and Review

The governing body monitors and reviews the Collective Worship Policy through its committee work by:

• seeking the views of parents, to ensure that they agree with and support the policy;

• considering, with the headteacher, any requests from parents for individual children to have special dispensation with regard collective worship.

Parents

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