Collective Worship at St Mary's

"We love. We learn. We flourish."

At St Mary's CE Primary School, Collective Worship is a special and valued part of our school day. It brings our school family together to celebrate our Christian faith, share experiences, reflect and grow. Rooted in the teachings of Jesus, our worship reflects our Christian vision and mission, creating a community where everyone feels loved, appreciated and encouraged to flourish.

Our worship celebrates the Christian character of our school and the values that make St Mary's such a special place to belong. Our CHRIST values, Citizenship, Happiness, Responsibility, Interdependence, Self-Control and Tolerance, guide our relationships, choices and actions. Through worship, children explore what these values mean and how they can make a positive difference in school, at home and in the wider world.

Spirituality is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that every child's spiritual journey is unique and celebrate opportunities for curiosity, wonder, reflection and personal growth. Through our Windows, Mirrors and Doors approach, children are encouraged to appreciate the world around them, explore their own thoughts and feelings, ask life's big questions and consider how they can respond through kindness, compassion and positive action.

Our Collective Worship is designed to be engaging, meaningful and reflective. Through our approach of Recognise, Equip, Think and Reflect, children explore Christian teachings, develop their understanding, share ideas and consider how worship can influence their everyday lives. Bible stories, prayer, music, drama, discussion and inspirational role models help bring these messages to life.

Each week, our school community enjoys a rich variety of worship experiences, including whole-school worship, singing and praise, church worship, class-led worship and celebrations of achievement. Our familiar opening and closing prayers create a shared sense of belonging, while our close links with the church strengthen our Christian community and traditions.

We are especially proud of the role our children play in shaping worship at St Mary's. Our Ethos Group works alongside staff to plan and lead worship, share prayers, celebrate important events in the Christian calendar and encourage others to reflect. Children's voices are celebrated through our shared Collective Worship Book, where classes take turns recording their thoughts, artwork, prayers and reflections, creating a wonderful record of our school's spiritual journey.

Everyone is welcome at St Mary's. Our worship is inclusive, invitational and inspiring, respecting the beliefs and experiences of every child. We celebrate this inclusivity through the use of British Sign Language, with children signing our school vision together as a school family. We recognise and respect each child's individual way of participating, while also respecting parents' legal right to withdraw their child from Collective Worship.

We are committed to ensuring that Collective Worship continues to inspire and enrich our school community. Through pupil voice, staff reflections, leadership and governor involvement, we regularly celebrate what is working well and consider how our worship can continue to grow.

Above all, Collective Worship at St Mary's is a celebration of faith, love, learning and belonging. It gives our children opportunities to develop spiritually, celebrate one another, show courageous advocacy and discover how even the smallest actions can make a difference.

At St Mary's: 

We love. We learn. We flourish.