​Collective Worship at St Stephen’s Church of England Primary School

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At St Stephen’s, Collective Worship is a special and valued part of daily school life, providing opportunities for reflection, prayer, celebration and spiritual growth. Each school day, all pupils take part in an act of Collective Worship that reflects our Christian vision, values and ethos, while being inclusive and welcoming to everyone in our school community.

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Our weekly pattern of worship includes:

• Whole School Worship led by members of the clergy or the Senior Leadership Team (usually Monday)

• Class Worship led within individual classes (usually Wednesday or Thursday)

• Key Stage Worship bringing pupils together within their phase(usually Wednesday or Thursday)

• Songs of Praise Worship where we gather through music, singing and reflection (usually Tuesday)

• Whole School Celebration Worship where achievements, efforts and successes are recognised and celebrated (usually Friday) 

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To create a meaningful and familiar experience for pupils, worship follows a consistent structure. Monday is supported with the use of the Big Start Assemblies programme. This helps children engage with key Christian themes, biblical teachings and our school values throughout the year.

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Pupils play an active role in Collective Worship, contributing to its planning, leadership and evaluation. Through these opportunities, children develop confidence, leadership skills and a deeper sense of ownership of their spiritual journey and school community.

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Collective Worship is distinct from Religious Education. While Religious Education is an academic subject that explores Christianity and other world faiths, Collective Worship provides opportunities for spiritual reflection and shared experiences rooted in Christian belief and practice. Together, they support pupils' understanding of faith, values and life in modern Britain.

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Through Collective Worship, we seek to inspire our children to live out our school vision 'Serving our diverse community with compassion to provide the best start for all' and to grow in the values of Respect, Trust, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Compassion, Thankfulness and Friendship.