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Christian Distinctiveness and Collective Worship
Brabourne CEP School is a Church of England Voluntary Controlled School with close links to Brabourne Church and the Stour Downs parishes. Our Christian vision is rooted in the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31–32), where Jesus teaches that from the smallest seed grows a great tree, providing shelter and life for all. This reminds us that even the smallest acts of faith, kindness, and learning can grow into something extraordinary when nurtured in love and community.
Our collective worship and Christian distinctiveness flow directly from this vision. Just as the mustard seed grows into a tree that shelters others, we seek to nurture faith and potential in every member of our school family, so that all may grow, flourish, and serve others.
Reverend Susan Manners and local church volunteers visit the school regularly to deliver Open the Book for Collective Worship and to work with the pupil Fellowship Group. The whole school attends Brabourne Church for major Christian festivals and special times in our school calendar.
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Christian Distinctiveness
In and around the school you will see and hear many things that enable all stakeholders to embed and experience our Christian distinctiveness. These include:
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Daily acts of collective worship, which include stories from the Bible, songs, prayers and messages about how these teachings are relevant to our daily lives.
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Singing and praise. We sing a wide variety of songs, including Christian hymns and worship songs, as a joyful expression of faith.
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Visual reminders of our values. Displays around the school celebrate our Christian values of Respect, Responsibility, Hope and Courage, and show them in action.
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Whole-school prayer stations – dedicated spaces for prayer and reflection, open to all.
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Class reflection areas for quiet thought, gratitude, and prayer.
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Prayers and Grace. We have created a school prayer (see below), and children are encouraged to contribute prayers during class and worship. Pupils are often keen to say grace at lunch or share spontaneous prayers in collective worship.
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Regular visits by Reverend Susan to lead Open the Book and work with the Worship and Wonder Team.
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Pupil-led Collective Worship and Fellowship Group opportunities, developing leadership and theological confidence.
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Church services for celebrations such as Harvest, Christmas, Easter, and the Leavers’ Service.
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Moments of stillness and reflection throughout the day.
Our worship is inclusive, invitational, and inspiring, allowing all members of our diverse community to engage at their own pace and according to their own faith journey. We ensure that every pupil and adult is valued, respected, and able to encounter the spiritual in ways meaningful to them.
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What is Collective Worship?
Collective Worship is a legal requirement in all Church of England schools. All pupils must take part in a daily act of Collective Worship unless explicitly withdrawn by parents.
According to the Department for Education:
“Collective worship in schools should aim to provide the opportunity for pupils to worship God, to consider spiritual and moral issues and to explore their own beliefs; to encourage participation and response… and to develop community spirit, promote a common ethos and shared values, and reinforce positive attitudes.”
Our Church school follows the Church of England’s guidance on Collective Worship, which can be found
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We see Collective Worship as an opportunity for all pupils and staff to explore spirituality through the areas of self, others, the world and the beyond (deeper meaning). It is a sacred and special time for the whole community to gather, reflect, and grow together.
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Our arrangements and Rationale
Collective Worship takes place at the end of the school day (2:40pm), when the school community pauses to reflect. This time is carefully chosen to allow for calmness, reflection, spiritual growth, and stillness before the end of the day.
We aim to provide inspiring and reflective worship that is inclusive of the varying spiritual needs of children and staff.
Our weekly pattern of worship is as follows:
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Monday – Whole school worship in the hall
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Tuesday – Whole school worship in the hall
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Wednesday – Class worship
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Thursday – Whole school worship in the hall / Open the Book (fortnightly)
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Friday – Whole school celebration worship in the hall
We follow the structure: Gather, Engage, Respond and Send, ensuring our worships are inclusive, invitational, age-appropriate, and inspiring. We follow A Fresh Approach to Worship by Canterbury Diocese.
It is important for us to end the week as a whole-school community, celebrating achievements and giving thanks together.
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Themes and Engagement
Pupils are engaged in collective and classroom worship through Bible stories, Christian values, and relevant real-world themes. Worship may also include contributions from visitors such as Paralympians, refugees, charities, and leaders of other faiths.
Spirituality and Courageous Advocacy are key themes — pupils are encouraged to consider issues such as social justice, care for creation, and human dignity. Our worship also reflects the global calendar, connecting faith to events like Black History Month and Christian Aid Week.
Pupils frequently lead worship on themes that matter to them, such as environmental stewardship, friendship, and online safety — demonstrating how their voices and values shape our community.
Collective Worship is a creative, reflective and spiritual experience, offering opportunities for both children and adults to grow in faith and understanding.
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Structure of Worship
Worship may include the following elements:
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A candle is sometimes lit as a focus and reminder that Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
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We Dare to Wonder at the theme of worship — exploring a ‘wow’ or ‘ow’ moment to consider.
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A Bible story may be told, chosen to relate to the Christian value or relational needs of the children.
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There is often an opportunity for children to read verses from the Bible or Psalms.
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A wide range of worship songs are sung, often linked to our values and current themes.
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Worship often leads to a challenge to practical action, encouraging children to “step out to make a difference” — such as supporting the local Food Bank, charity events, or Operation Christmas Child.
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Pupils are invited to respond in prayer — using the school prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, or spontaneous pupil-led prayers.
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In our busy school day, we “Pause to Reflect” — a quiet moment accompanied by music or silence, encouraging pupils to reflect deeply.
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We conclude by “Choosing to Step Out” — going out into the world to live out our values and make a positive difference.
Further information can be found in our Collective Worship policy: Policies – Brabourne Church of England Primary School
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Spirituality at Brabourne
We understand spirituality as an awareness of something greater than ourselves — of God’s presence in our lives and in the world around us. We nurture spirituality through times of wonder, stillness, creativity, and community action.
Pupils explore spirituality through four areas:
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Self – understanding who I am and what makes me unique;
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Others – relationships, empathy, and kindness;
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The World – awe, curiosity, and responsibility for creation;
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Beyond – questions of meaning, belief, and faith.
These opportunities help our pupils reflect deeply and grow as thoughtful, compassionate individuals.
Further information can be found in our Spirituality Policy: Policies – Brabourne Church of England Primary School
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Courageous Advocacy and Service
Our pupils are encouraged to act as courageous advocates, inspired by Jesus’ command to “love your neighbour.” They engage in projects that make a difference both locally and globally — from supporting food banks to environmental campaigns and charity work.
Through this, pupils learn that their small acts of compassion and justice can help God’s Kingdom to grow, just like the mustard seed in Jesus’ parable.
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Evaluating and Growing Together
We regularly gather feedback from pupils, staff, governors, and parents to ensure that worship remains meaningful, engaging, and inclusive. Our pupils play a key role in reviewing themes and shaping future development.
This reflective approach ensures that our worship continually evolves — keeping our community spiritually alive and faithful to our vision.
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Impact
Through our Christian distinctiveness, collective worship, Religious Education, and partnerships with the Church and Diocese, we see our pupils grow in faith, confidence, and compassion — living out our vision of the mustard seed as they flourish and help others to flourish too.