How do we Worship & Flourish Together Spiritually at Goring?

As a Voluntary Aided Church of England school, collective worship is daily, varied, and integral to school life.  It is a time where our whole community joins together to be still, reset, reflect and explore the faith of Christianity. 

Our daily acts of Worship are inclusive, invitational and seek to inspire. They promote opportunities for children to explore prayer, stillness, worship through hymn, song or spiritual music, the word of God through Bible stories and time for reflection. 

Our children tell us that they enjoy “singing to God”, know that singing is a form of praying, and join in enthusiastically and joyfully. 

Collective Worship at Goring

Our Collective worship at Goring is clearly and effectively planned on an established 2-year cycle with key liturgical celebrations built in. Our Collective Worship identifies the key elements of:

 

Collective Worship is central to our respectful, caring and inclusive community.

All members of our school community, of different faiths or none, attend whole school worship, feeling included and affirmed in both formal and informal opportunities for prayer, reflection and worship. 

Our focus for daily Worship:

Monday

Whole School Collective Worship, led by the Headteacher.  The theme is introduced for the week along with the hymn and prayer for the week ahead.

Tuesday

Individual Class-based and year group Worship.  These follow the themes linked to our School Values and British Values. 

Wednesday

Whole School Collective Worship led by Father Keith from St Mary’s Church or clergy members from other local Churches.

Thursday

Songs of Worship. Hymns/ songs are explored, learnt, and sung together.

Friday

Key Stage Values Celebration and time of sharing and giving thanks with families.

 

Pupils enter worship with spiritual music playing and are encouraged to enjoy stillness or invited to silently read a scripture verse or prayer on the board as they enter.

“Songs of Worship reminds me that singing is the best way to start the day. It always leaves me feeling calm but energised and better about going back to class to learn!” (Year 3 teacher).

Pupil-Led Worship

We are continuing to provide our pupils with opportunities to lead and participate in a range of worships.  A strong example of this is using the third cohort of our pupil-led Liturgy Team drawn from those pupils who have taken First Holy Communion.  Our Liturgy team help to prepare and lead termly Agape meals, Bible scriptures and prayers.

“It has made me think about how we should be inviting people who really need a meal to our family table.” (Year 4)

“This reminded me of when Jesus broke the bread and reminded his disciples of His body when they ate at the Last Supper.” (Year 6).”

Reflection and Prayer

During worship, our children are invited to reflect or contribute spiritually to weekly ‘Challenges’ held in a communal book or displayed on our Reflection Table. The children are frequently asked to consider their lives and experiences and to make links and connections to these with the teachings of Jesus and Bible stories.

Every class has its own ‘Reflection Area’ to support and celebrate opportunities to be still, reflect, pray and contribute to the Big Questions our children wish to explore.  All classes follow a half-termly theme and can talk confidently about this.  The cloths on our reflection areas reflect the liturgical colours of the Church Calendar.

Around our school are reminders of Bible readings etched into wood, with quotations carefully picked by our Liturgy Team and placed above doors in our school.  These help our community to reflect on their purpose within each place.