Collective Worship
Collective Worship is a valued part of everyday life at our school, offering pupils time to reflect, celebrate and come together as a community. Worship takes place daily and follows a weekly structure that supports our school Christian Values of wisdom, hope, trust, forgiveness, compassion and thankfulness, while being inclusive and welcoming to all.
On Mondays, whole school Collective Worship is led by the Headteacher or Senior Teacher and focuses either on the Christian value for the term or other faiths and festivals during the year.
On Tuesdays, whole school worship is delivered by members of our local clergy including Reverend Crystal, Reverend John or Reverend David, which helps pupils to deepen their understanding through shared stories and experiences, and again linked to our Christian Value for the term.
On Wednesdays, collective worship takes place in classes using the Everyone’s Welcome approach, which forms an important part of our Collective Worship programme. It helps children to understand that everyone is welcome in our school community and that difference should be respected and celebrated. Through carefully chosen stories, discussion and reflection, pupils explore themes such as belonging, kindness, respect, equality and friendship. The worship encourages children to think about how their words and actions can make others feel included and valued. Sessions are rooted in our school values, supporting children’s spiritual, moral and social development. Everybody’s Welcome Collective Worship promotes a culture where there are no outsiders, helping pupils to grow into confident, compassionate individuals who understand the importance of treating everyone fairly and with respect.
On alternate Thursdays, there is a focus on religious readings which are led by our team of volunteer Readers from St. John the Baptist Church in Billesdon, who kindly visit classes to support pupils to expand their understanding through sharing stories linked to our Christian Value for the term. Every other Thursday, members visit from Billesdon Baptist Chapel lead a whole school collective worship with a focus on God’s story from creation to heaven, which is a joyous experience celebrated through readings, songs and music.
The week concludes on Fridays with Celebration Worship, led by the Headteacher, where pupils are recognised for their achievements and for the ways they have lived out our Christian values during the week.
Through our programme of Collective Worship, we aim to nurture spiritual growth, promote our school values and celebrate the achievements of every child.
Over the year, class-led Collective Worships are held at St John the Baptist Church in Billesdon and are shared with the whole school, our parent community and the local congregation. Through stories, role play, prayers and reflection, pupils explore how our Christian values can shape their lives and be lived out in everyday life.
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24–27)
https://gochattervideos.com/downloads/parable-of-the-wise-and-foolish-builders/
At our school, the Bible story of The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24–27) helps pupils understand how our Christian values guide the choices we make each day. In this parable, Jesus teaches that those who listen to his words and put them into action are like the wise builder who builds his house on solid rock, strong enough to withstand life’s storms.
This story encourages wisdom, as children learn the importance of making good choices and building their lives on strong foundations. It nurtures trust, helping pupils to understand the value of trusting in God and in one another. The parable also inspires hope, reminding children that strong foundations help us to face challenges with confidence and resilience.
Through this story, pupils explore compassion and forgiveness, learning that living out Jesus’ teachings means caring for others, showing kindness and offering forgiveness even when it is difficult. Thankfulness is developed as children reflect on the support, guidance and love they receive from God, their families and their school community.
The bible story teaches our pupils that the message of building strong foundations through wise choices is shared across many religious and non-religious worldviews. It emphasises the importance of living out our values, showing that these values are universal and can guide positive actions in everyday life.
By exploring these shared values, pupils develop an understanding of British Values, including mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, individual liberty, and an appreciation of how beliefs influence choices and behaviour. This supports pupils in becoming reflective, respectful and responsible members of society.
Through this approach, Collective Worship contributes to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, encouraging them to make meaningful connections between Christian teaching, other faith traditions and their own lived experiences, in line with the school’s Christian vision.
