Collective Worship
At St Edmund’s, collective worship is a daily opportunity to come together, reflect and explore our Christian vision: “A journey to discover life in all its fullness” (John 10:10).
Our Sixcess Values — Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance, Compassion, Truth & Trust, and Justice & Forgiveness — help us consider how the teachings we encounter can shape our choices, relationships and actions.
Our weekly pattern
Monday: Picture News
Our headteacher leads whole-school worship using Picture News. A current news story prompts children to ask questions, listen to different perspectives and think about the world beyond school. We connect the discussion to our Christian vision and values, with time to reflect on how we might respond.
Worship through the week:
Staff lead worship exploring our half-termly value through Bible stories, music, images, discussion and reflection. Members of St Edmund’s Church regularly join us to lead worship and share another perspective on the theme.
Friday: Celebrating our school community
We come together to recognise children’s learning, effort, achievements and the ways they have lived out our values. This is also a time to give thanks and celebrate one another.
Worship follows a familiar pattern: Gather, Engage, Respond and Send. Children are welcomed, explore a message, have space for prayer or reflection, and consider what they will take into the rest of the day.
Worship that welcomes everyone
Our worship is rooted in the Christian faith and welcomes pupils and adults from all faiths and none. Children may join in a prayer or use the time for quiet reflection. Stories, music, images, discussion and stillness offer different ways to take part.
Children in Early Years have worship and reflection suited to their age. Reception children join wider school celebrations and take part in whole-school worship increasingly as they prepare for Year 1. We are also developing ways for children with additional needs to access prayer and reflection meaningfully.
Parents who would like to discuss collective worship, including the right to withdraw their child, are welcome to contact the headteacher.
Pupil voice and leadership
Our pupil worship leaders help prepare and lead aspects of worship. They have helped introduce prayer gestures and worked with school leaders to make our school prayer shorter and more accessible. Their ideas help us review and improve worship.
Worship beyond the hall
Our partnership with St Edmund’s Church gives children opportunities to take part in services and mark occasions including Harvest, Christmas and Easter. We are also developing Wild Worship: time outdoors to reflect on creation, our relationships with others and our place in the world.
Through collective worship, we hope every child has space to wonder, reflect and consider how they can help others experience life in all its fullness.
