Collective Worship forms a valued part of each day. Christian Values are at the core of worship: each value is explored through The Bible, story, drama, song, prayer and pupils' work.
Class led Collective Worship is well attended by families, as are our regular visits to our church. We enjoy celebrating key Christian festivals at St Paul's, including our Welcoming Service, Harvest, Christmas, Epiphany, Easter and our Leavers' Service.
Collective Worship includes all children from Reception up to Year 6 and in the Spring and Summer Months, our youngest Nursery children attend. Children with Special Educational Needs are supported to participate within collective worship.
Collective Worship is often punctuated by inspirational visitors who have included: the Bishop of Woolwich, a Paralympian, famous authors as well as representatives from charitable organisations (for example Greenwich Foodbank and anti-Slavery Organisations), scientists, and musicians.
The impact of Collective Worship can be seen many aspects of school life:
Children’s behaviour is guided through the values discussed in Collective Worship and children will often talk about and find examples of these values when in the playground (for example when learning about ‘Generosity’ many children could identify when they showed the value and when others did).
Children who need additional support with behaviour are reminded about the values, often alongside social stories and visual support.
Children show genuine care for one another in classrooms, outside and on school visits.
Adults within the school model and replicate this care to all pupils and their families. We have countless examples of how our staff have supported parents and carers, above and beyond the provision of education; we have supported with housing, access to foodbanks, support seeking employment, advocacy in meetings, liaison with professional services etc.
Staff mental wellbeing and emotional health is strong; staff feel supported, heard and cared for. Our whole school ethos is a focus on Oikoumene; living well in community together.
Pupils are taught through collective worship how to identify distinctive features of different Christian Traditions, for example:
The significance of the lit candle during Collective Worship
The liturgical colours of the seasons of the church year
The importance of Prayer and different types of prayers offered
Different translations of the Bible
Liturgical responses
The singing of hymns and worship songs
Christian festivals
Charity is a recurring theme during Collective Worship and children are encouraged to help those less fortunate than themselves, not only through showing compassion and generosity; for example, collecting for the Greenwich Foodbank, Comic Relief and Children in Need amongst others, but also through intercessory prayers for those in need. For example:
As part of our Freedom Weeks, pupils wrote and lead prayers for freedom and the abolition of slavery around the world, particularly from the fishing boats on Lake Volta in Ghana,
Following the outbreak of conflict in Ukraine, pupils offered prayers of peace and restoration for Russians and Ukrainians, as well as wisdom for those in governance and leadership,
Pupils regularly create STAR* prayers to share in acts of worship. (*STAR is our model for collect prayers: Say who God is, Thank Him, Ask for forgiveness, Request his provision)
Personal prayer and reflection form an important part of Collective Worship and throughout the day:
Prayers written in class reflective areas or in the main reflective area are collected and prayed for in school and at church
Children pray at regular times during the day and are encouraged to pray at other times – for example when waiting for collective worship to begin.
The school incumbent takes a supportive role in teaching the children about God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, enabling learners to recognise this and talk about it with an impressive degree of understanding.
