Collective Worship at Winterslow

We value the daily opportunity to join together as children and staff to share together in prayer, praise and reflection. Whilst it is a statutory duty for schools to provide a daily act of worship, we do not do so merely because we have to. These times are led by staff, children and at times by visitors from local churches and attended by children and adults.

We continue to learn from the ‘Open the Book’ team of parishioners who tell Bible Stories through drama, which the children greatly enjoy and benefit from.

The week follows a pattern which includes:

Monday: Whole school vision and values worship with Mrs Malcolm

Tuesday: Whole school worship with Rev Simon Chambers and the 'Open the Book' team

Wednesday: World News Wednesday- Whole school worship led by senior teachers focussing on world news events, British Values and Protected Characteristics

Thursday: Thoughtful Thursday class worship. Focussing on spirituality, mindfulness and emotional literacy

Friday: Thanks and Celebration worship including recognition of those who have 'sparkled' in their learning/behaviour with Mrs Malcolm/Mrs Groth

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We want our children to learn and experience what it means to worship. We acknowledge that each one of us, whether child or adult, is travelling our own spiritual journey. We offer the opportunity to find a point of peace and quiet in the day where we can explore ideas, and learn from the examples of Christian teachings and aspects of other faiths and cultures how we can best live our lives.

Our worship is inclusive and delivered so everyone present feels included, whilst respecting the integrity of the different families and backgrounds we serve. The themes we cover supplement RE teaching and include our vision, values and key times and celebrations within the Christian calendar. 

Our Collective Worship Team

Our Collective Worship Team are responsible for the reflection and development of Collective Worship in our school and support our Church School Flourishing. 

As members of our Collective Worship Team, pupils are responsible for keeping a floor book of our Collective Worships each week, delivering or supporting Collective Worship each term and review and make suggestions for improvements for the upcoming term. 

The Collective Worship Team meet once a term with Mrs Payne. This year our team will be helping to plan and lead Collective Worship once a term. They will be supporting and leading key Christian celebrations including our Harvest, Christmas and Easter services as well as leading other important times of celebration/reflection such as Remembrance. 

In addition to Collective Worship, the children are responsible for meeting and talking to Governors and clergy members and participate in and support wider events including annual flourishing walks and services at the Church. 

Rights of Withdrawal

As a Church of England school, Collective Worship and Christian values are central to our school life. We recognise that within our school community there are children and families from a range of faith backgrounds, as well as those who hold non-religious worldviews. We seek to be welcoming, hospitable and inclusive to all members of our community.

Spirituality at Winterslow

As a church school we believe that spirituality should influence all areas of education and life. Spiritual development is not about becoming more spiritual, it is about realising or becoming more and more aware of one’s natural, innate spirituality.

We aim to support each individual and encourage them to flourish. Pupils are encouraged to explore and develop their own values and beliefs (which may or may not be Christian), and to appreciate the richness and diversity of the world. This is coupled with the promotion (and modelling) of high standards of personal behaviour and positive, caring, attitudes – all based on a firm bedrock of Christian values.

Spiritual development cannot always be structured and opportunities may arise spontaneously out of the school day. A range of experiences and curriculum areas provide opportunities for spiritual development (eg. Circle Time, P4C, drama, PSHE, science, history, PE, Forest School, music and RE).

Spirituality is an innate human capacity. It enables us to become aware of God, one another, the world around us and ourselves. At Winterslow, we define spirituality as the act of being fully human by revealing ourselves, our relationships with others, with beauty and the beyond. We provide children with openings for spiritual development through windows, mirrors and doors. This is for the ‘wows’ and ‘ows’ that we experience in the world.

A good starting point to learn about spirituality is to think of Windows, Mirrors and Doors.

Windows: Giving pupils opportunities to become aware of the world in new ways. This includes both the things that amaze them and also challenge them.

Mirrors: Giving pupils opportunities to reflect upon their experiences. To reflect on life’s big questions and to consider some possible answers. Learning from life, by exploring their own insights and perspectives and those of others.

Doors: Giving pupils opportunities to respond, to do something creative in order to express, apply and further develop their thoughts and convictions. Learning to live by putting into action their beliefs and values.