Brabourne CEP School is a Church of England Voluntary Controlled School and has close links with Brabourne Church and the Stour Downs parishes. 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 attend Brabourne Church for the major Christian festivals and special times in our school calendar.
Christian distinctiveness
In and around the school you will see and hear things for all stakeholders to embed the Christian distinctiveness of our school. These include:
- Daily acts of collective worship. These include stories from the Bible, songs, prayers and a message about how this is relevant to all of us in our day to day life.
- Singing. We learn a wide variety of songs in school including Christian songs. These take the form of praise.
- Visual reminders of our values. Values and displays of our values in action around the school.
- Whole school prayer stations. A dedicated space for prayer and reflection open to all.
- Class reflection areas.
- Prayers and Grace. We have created a school prayer which can be read below. The children also have the opportunity to contribute to prayers in class and worship if they would like to. Children are keen to say a prayer over lunch, or write a spontaneous prayer in collective worship.
- Regular visits by Reverend Susan to lead Open the Book and work with the Worship and Wonder team.
- Pupil-led Collective Worship and Fellowship group.
- Church service for celebrations such as Harvest, Christmas, Easter and the Leaver’s service.
- Moments of stillness and quiet reflection.
What is collective worship?
Collective worship is a legal requirement. All pupils must take part in a daily act of Collective Worship unless they have been explicitly withdrawn by their parents. According to the DfE: “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, whether through active involvement in the presentation of worship or through listening to and joining in the worship offered; and to develop community spirit, promote a common ethos and shared values, and reinforce positive attitudes.”
Our church schools follow the C of E guidance found here:
https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/collective-worshipguidance-18052021.pdf
We see Collective Worship as the opportunity for all pupils to explore spirituality through the areas of self, others, the world and deeper meaning.
What are our arrangements and why?
Collective Worship is a gathering at the end of the school day (2.40pm) when the school community stops to reflect. We aim to provide inspiring content for the children in an act of Worship, which is inclusive of the varying spiritual needs of children and staff. The timing of our Collective Worship is carefully considered and important.
Monday – Whole school worship in the school hall
Tuesday – Whole school worship in the school hall
Wednesday – Class worship
Thursday – Whole school worship in the school hall/Open the Book Fortnightly
Friday – Whole school celebration worship in the school hall
We follow the structure: ‘Gather, Engage, Respond and Send’ and we aim to ensure our worships are inclusive, invitational, age appropriate and inspiring. We follow the Fresh Approach to Worship by Canterbury Diocese. All Collective Worship starts at 2.40pm. We have carefully chosen this time to ensure all pupils and staff can be present and to allow for reflection and spiritual development and a moment of calmness and reflection at the end of a busy day. It is important for us to all to end the week as a whole school community together and as Friday’s worship to be a celebration of the week.
Policies – Brabourne Church of England Primary School – Collective Worship Policy
Pupils are engaged in collective worship and classroom worship through engaging themes from Bible stories and Christian values. Worship can also include key themes from our school values and invitations from key visitors, such as Paralympians, refugees, charities and other faith leaders. Spirituality and Courageous Advocacy are also key themes which are explored, as well as a focus on charities and calls for action to support their work. Pupils also lead collective worship on key theme that are pertinent to them such as environment or e-safety. Collective worship may also tie in with the global calendar with a focus on Black History month or Christian Aid week.
Collective Worship is a creative, reflective and spiritual experience. It offers openings for spiritual development for both children and adults alike, through the Windows, Mirrors and Doors approach.
WINDOWS: giving children opportunities to become aware of the world in new ways; to wonder about life’s ‘WOWs’ (things that are amazing) and ‘OWs’ (things that bring us up short). In this children are learning about fulfilling their potential.
MIRRORS: giving children opportunities to reflect on their experiences; to meditate on life’s big questions and to consider some possible answers. In this they are learning from life by exploring their own insights and perspectives and those of others.
DOORS: giving children opportunities to respond to all of this; to do something creative as a means of expressing, applying and further developing their thoughts and convictions. In this they are learning to live by putting into action what they are coming to believe and value.
Structure of worship
Worship may include the following elements:
- A candle is sometimes lit as a focus and reminder that Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” John 8v12
- We ‘look through the window’ at the theme of worship, which could be an ‘ow’ or’ wow’ topic to consider.
- A Bible story may be told, chosen to be related to the Christian value as well as the relational needs of the children.
- There is opportunity for children to read a few well known verses from the Bible or a Psalm.
- Children enjoy a wide range of worship songs often linked to our Christian values.
- Often there is a challenge to practical action – encouraging children to step forwards to make a difference. For example children may be encouraged to support the local Food Bank charity or Operation Christmas Child shoe box appeal.
- Children have an opportunity to respond in prayer. We use the school prayer or the Lord’s Prayer and also encourage spontaneous prayers which may be led by the children.
- In a busy school day we make “Time for reflection”. Maybe a quiet time or using music as children take time to consider what they have heard. Pupils are encouraged to ‘Look in the Mirror’ and reflect.
- Finally we leave collective worship by ‘Opening the Door’ and going out to make a positive difference to others and the world around us.