Meppershall Collective Worship Three I Statement
'Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.'
Psalms 95:6-7
INTENT
At Meppershall CE Academy, Collective Worship gives our school community the opportunity to explore and reflect on the core Christian values that form the bedrock of our school. Through considered collective worship sessions, we strive to nurture children’s spiritual education. We encourage them to make time to reflect and wonder, celebrate and respond to God with an awareness of his presence and to explore their own beliefs. It is also a time to create and participate in shared experiences of praise and thanksgiving.
IMPLEMENTATION
Our collective worship reflects the traditions of the Church of England, enabling children to develop an understanding of Anglican worship and practice and embed this in their daily lives. In line with the Church of England Church Schools Guidance, we aim to provide worship sessions which give pupils and school staff the opportunity to:
Monday – Head teacher
Tuesday – alternate weeks, St. Mary’s visitor/class teacher
Wednesday – Hymn Practice
Thursday – Class worship
Friday – Celebration
Worship is usually planned around one of our core values, which follow a two year cycle.
SCHOOL VALUES 2023 - 2025
|
|
CYCLE ONE 2023 - 2024 |
CYCLE TWO 2024 - 2025 |
|
Autumn 1
|
GENEROUSITY |
THANKFULNESS |
|
Autumn 2
|
COMPASSION |
TRUST |
|
Spring 1
|
COURAGE |
PERSEVERANCE |
|
Spring 2
|
JUSTICE |
FORGIVENESS |
|
Summer 1
|
SERVICE |
FRIENDSHIP |
|
Summer 2
|
RESPECT |
TRUTHFULNESS |
We have very close links with our community church, St. Mary’s of Meppershall and we are fortunate to have our local vicar and lay preacher visit us every two weeks to lead Worship in school. At important times of the Christian calendar such as Christmas and Easter we also worship in St. Mary’s church.
Once a term, Impact, a Christian charity who support school children in their learning about Christianity visit to lead worship.
On Thursdays, pupils remain in their classes for Worship which is usually led by the class teacher. In Year 4, the pupils are encouraged to plan and lead worship in small groups. Some groups then deliver this worship to other year groups. A group of our Year Four pupils are also participating in the
National Younger Leadership programme which gives pupils the chance to have a voice within the church, develop their leadership skills and grow faith amongst the school student community.
Music is provided for the school to enter and leave to. This may link to the current value where possible. Worship is opened with a prayer as a candle is lit to signify God’s presence:
God is here among us
Light in the midst of us
Bring us to light and life.
Pupils are given the opportunity to reflect spiritually throughout worship by providing a variety of experiences eg. exploring a Biblical text, posing questions or thoughts, using drama or other visual arts, music, video clips or stillness. At an appropriate point the school community join together to sing a hymn.
Worship finishes with a closing prayer – either the Traditional Lord’s prayer or staff member’s choice
IMPACT
Worship is regarded as a special time which reflects our ethos as a church school. It is an inclusive opportunity for those of all faiths and none. In all areas of school life we set high expectations about pupil’s behaviour and we encourage children to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects our school values at all times. How children interact with each other and live out these values throughout the school day, coupled with their responses and level of engagement, provides a good insight into the impact of collective worship sessions at Meppershall CE Academy.