Collective Worship

We often find that parents of pupils joining St Mary's have questions about Collective Worship. Please read on to find out more.

What will my child experience in Collective Worship at Ely St. Mary’s?

As a Church of England School, Collective Worship is at the heart of school life. It happens every day, in various different forms, which give all children an opportunity to learn, celebrate and respond to our Christian Values and Vision. When we have Collective Worship, we assemble as a community and have time to reflect and think about the chosen Value for that half term and it is open to all faiths and none. Children are invited to think deeply about subjects that matter to us as a school and also about wider issues in the global community. Songs are Christian in content and add another dimension to our worship.

What is Collective Worship?

It aims to give pupils and school staff alike the opportunity to:

· Express praise and thanksgiving to God

· Foster respect and deepen spiritual awareness

· Reflect on the character of God and on the teachings of Christ

· Affirm Christian values and attitudes

· Share each other's joys and challenges

· Celebrate special times in the Christian calendar.

Collective Worship is legally required to take place every school day and ‘shall be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character’ (1988 Education Act). http://www.churchofengland.org/education/national-society/teaching-learning/collectiveworship.aspx

What makes it C of E (Church of England)?

Ely St. Mary’s Collective Worship is based on the liturgy or pattern of Church of England Services. This helps staff and children to become familiar with its language and traditions, so when they visit our church or Cathedral building, they can understand and take part in their services in a meaningful way. We’re not a religious family.

What will my child get from Collective Worship? Will they be made to sing and pray?

Collective Worship is set up so that all children and adults, of all faiths and none, are invited to find out not only what Christians believe about God, the world and themselves, but to have reflection time, wondering about the big questions of life and how these reflections impact on their own lives. The messages and values we discuss are based around our values of RESPECT, which we believe support all children in becoming positive citizens within our local, national and global community:

Responsibility

Excellence

Spirituality

Perseverance

Energy

Caring

Tolerance.

Staff and pupils alike value the time of quiet and stillness as a way to bring the community together. With both singing and prayer, we invite children to participate, learn about and respect the beliefs of all faiths and none.