Collective Worship
Collective Worship is a statutory requirement for all Church of England schools in England and Wales. At Longstone C of E Primary School, Collective Worship is so much more than this. It is a time when the school family meets together, learns together, reflects together, a time within which children and staff can be still, engage and if they feel called, respond.
Themes for the Worships are planned carefully, sculpted around key Christian themes, on a two-weekly cycle. Themes also reflect the festivals and traditions of the Christian faith and these are often linked to and build upon topics that we teach as part of the school curriculum including human values, moral and social issues including specific citizenship themes. We use Picture News weekly to make worship relevant, engaging and up to date for our children.
https://www.picture-news.co.uk/blog/about-us/
We use the Window, mirrors and doors approach to Worship at Longstone/
Windows
Opportunities for children to be aware of the world in new ways, looking out into the world.
* To wonder about life's 'WOWS. Things that are amazing.
* To think about life's 'OWS' that take us by surprise!
* Learning about life in all its fullness.
Mirrors
* Opportunities to reflect on their experiences.
* Looking inside yourself.
* Consider life's big questions and reach for some possible answers.
* Learning from life by exploring our own insights and those of others.
Doors
* Opportunities for children to respond.
* Moving onto a new path or situation.
* To do something creative to develop and apply our ideas.
* Learning to live out our beliefs and values.
Reflection Areas
As a school we feel it is important to have a focal prayer point for the whole school community to engage with. Currently, we are in progress in developing an outside prayer garden in partnership with our parent community.
Each class has an interactive spiritual display and reflection area, often linked to the term’s worship theme. Children really enjoy having the opportunity to respond to these areas. They are a place where the children can come to wonder, reflect and pray.
