Our Christian values permeate life at St Michael’s. We begin each day with Collective Worship, where the school, class groups or key stages gather together. All members of our school community, children and adults, are invited to worship collectively and have the freedom to be present with integrity regardless of their own faith and belief.   Collective worship is planned and delivered by a variety of stakeholders including staff, pupils, the incumbent of our local church and external visitors.

 

 

On Monday morning, our worship takes place in the church and is led by a member of the clergy. Each Friday the school gathers together in the afternoon to celebrate and reflect on the successes of the week, in addition, highlighting those children who have been a shining example of our values in action. 

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Our worship reflects the variety of traditions found in the Church of England, recognising and following the Christian liturgical year. The daily Christian act of worship is central to our ethos and is supported by all staff and governors. It makes an important contribution to the overall spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the whole school community.                                              

We have a range of Christian worship including music, silence, story and time for prayer and reflection.  This enables all children and adults to be actively engaged in worship. A set element to our worship incudes a call to worship prayer, lighting of candles, singing and a blessing to close the collective worship.

 

Themes for collective worship reflect the church calendar as well as global and local events. We teach children the meaning and biblical context of key Christian festivals and reflect on the impact these festivals have on Christians.  The music and worship songs selected fit well with these themes ensuring diversity of liturgical music. Through these elements and traditions, we aim to fulfil our vision of providing the whole school community with a sense of belonging and the space to develop spiritually.

 

Prayer is a natural and valued part of the culture of the school, it is not compulsory or forced. All those who wish to do so, have regular opportunities to pray and reflect.