Grade Ruan Church of England School Policy Document

Transcription

1 Grade Ruan Church of England School Policy Document Collective Worship Adopted by Governors: Autumn 14 Coordinator: Curriculum Committee Date of next review: Autumn 15 I) INTRODUCTION Grade Ruan School is a Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School is Part of the Keskowethyans MAT serving the village of Ruan Minor and the surroundings. The children are almost all British, white, and from Christian or nominally Christian backgrounds. The school, whilst concentrating mainly on Christian worship and education, aims to widen the children's horizons as far as possible with regard to the faiths and experiences of others. We aim to prepare pupils for life not only in their own somewhat sheltered community, but in a wider world. II) LEGAL REQUIREMENTS (For details see ERA 1988, Education Act 1993, and Circular 1/94) To promote the social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of the pupils. All pupils will take part in a daily act of collective worship, unless they have been withdrawn from it by their parents. Parents are informed in the school prospectus of their right to withdraw children. Collective worship frequently draws on the heritage and practices of the Church of England, but not exclusively so. Representatives of other Christian denominations lead worship regularly. III) AIMS FOR COLLECTIVE WORSHIP To provide an opportunity for pupils and all present to worship God, and to provide opportunity for individual reflection To enrich worship by use of aspects of the heritages of the Anglican Church To promote the spiritual development of the pupils To promote the social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of the pupils To establish, affirm and celebrate the common and shared values of the school, and to reinforce the unity of the school as a community To increase the children's knowledge of, and respect for, the beliefs and values of others To help children to develop their own beliefs and values To encourage positive attitudes

2 2. FORMS OF WORSHIP A typical act of worship will include many of the following features: Music begins and ends the service, and children are encouraged to listen and reflect. Hymns or other suitable songs are sung. Prayers are said. Important Christian prayers are used frequently. Children's own prayers are also used, and there are times for silent, private prayer. Stories play an important part: Bible stories, stories from other faiths, of great religious figures, of ordinary people, from the leader's own experience, fables and moral tales, etc. The moral aspect focuses on the positive. Poems, pictures, beautiful objects or any suitable visual or aural stimuli. Opportunities for children to ask questions or take an active part in the proceedings. Topical issues. At Grade Ruan assemblies are not used for administrative announcements or organisational matters, but things which fit naturally into the atmosphere of worship may be included referred to, celebrated, and prayed about. 3. PARTICIPATION Assemblies are intended to encourage children to participate in many different ways, and leaders try to make each act of worship as involving as possible. We ask all leaders to bear in mind the wide age range of the children. At different times children will sing, play musical instruments, listen to stories, poems and music, reflect and meditate in silence or with a background of music, look at and touch objects, answer questions, take part in drama, talk of their own ideas and experiences, etc. At Grade Ruan the children will join in prayers and responses. IV MANAGEMENT 1. PATTERN Daily worship is provided by the following means: In a typical week at Grade Ruan, each child will take part in three whole school assemblies and one class assembly led by the class teacher or children. Whole school assemblies are 15 minutes long. The children also take part in services held in the Parish Church on alternate Fridays as well as special End of term Services, held in the local Church. The children also take part in services held in the local Church throughout the year. In addition, there is one session of hymn practice and musical praise per week.

3 2. PLANNING Responsibility for collective worship lies with the Head Teacher. All staff, and the Rector at Grade Ruan, use the Values for Life Scheme. The programme is designed to cover a wide range of themes, to complement the R.E. syllabus and to reflect the Christian year. A detailed Assembly/Collective Worship programme is developed from the Values for Life Scheme. The Head Teacher, R.E. co-ordinator (and/or Rector at Grade Ruan) liaises with visiting speakers for specific dates. At Grade Ruan the class teachers, supported by the Worship co-coordinator, organise their own programme of class assemblies, linked to the Values for Life Scheme. V METHODS 1. ORGANISATION At Grade Ruan all organisation is aimed at producing an atmosphere of reverence and reflection. A visual focus of worship is usually placed at the front of the room, and music is chosen to aid a receptive state of mind. Seating, musical requirements, artefacts, visual aids etc. are set out, as far as possible, by the children themselves. Children are assigned specific tasks. For whole school assemblies music is played, and each class files in and sits down silently. At the end of the assembly music is again played. Candles, if used, are blown out. The children file out silently. 2. FORMATS Some of the acts of worship at Grade Ruan follow a liturgical form. Currently there are three Order of Service books, one for throughout the year; one for the weeks leading up to Christmas and one for the weeks leading up to Easter. At both schools, the form and structure of the act of worship is at the discretion of the leader, in accordance with the school policy of collective worship. 3. LEADING THE WORSHIP Typically, one whole-school assembly per week is led by the Head Teacher. One is also led by the Rector. Class assemblies are led by the class teacher or children. A wide variety of people from the community representing a range of beliefs and backgrounds are invited to lead acts of worship: the Head teacher; teachers; children under the guidance of teachers; school governors; the Rector at Grade Ruan; ministers of other Christian denominations and outside visitors who have a particular contribution to make. The schools aim to welcome all visitors warmly, and pupils are encouraged to listen with interest and respect to the ideas and beliefs of others.

4 VI CONTENT THEMES AND SUBJECT MATTER Bible stories Christian teaching The particular contributions of the Anglican Church and of other Christian denominations Consideration of the lives of leaders of other religions Reflection on the mysteries and wonders of the universe, and of man's relationship to the environment Looking at our relationships with others, and our responsibilities to them Consideration of school issues where appropriate Topical themes: local, national or international Aspects of our own local community Learning about the experiences and achievements of others Celebration of achievement, both inside and outside school Expressing and sharing sadness, disappointments, etc. when appropriate

5 APPENDIX A

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7 KS 1 and 2 Two Year Rolling Programme for Values for Life Autumn Spring Summer Thankfulness Compassion Friendship Hope Truthfulness Humility Year A Say thank you Say grace and share Give praise Look for good news Share what we have Honour and respect the elderly Care for, and empathise with, those in need Support friends in good and bad times Value relationships Reconcile and strengthen relationships Identify what is good and supportive Avoid what is harmful Understand symbols of hope Be responsible about the future Value new beginnings Value honesty Avoid deception Be true to yourself Face choices Stand up for truth Serve each other Ask for and accept help Sympathise with experiences of others Avoid being arrogant and boastful Bible Stories: Creation, Christmas, Harvest Bible Stories: Good Samaritan, elements of Joseph, Lost Sheep Bible Stories: Paralysed Man, Corinthians 13 - Love Bible Stories: Easter Bible Stories: Pentecost, Ten Commandments Bible Stories: Ten Commandments Courage Creativity Peace Forgiveness Trust Justice Developing skills to explore and celebrate: Year B Encourage others Face fears Face bullies Stand firm Make the first move Accept challenges An artist s eye on creation Caring for creation The miracle of creation Using senses New Life Find peace Resolve conflict Live in peace Be a peacemaker Say sorry Be forgiven Start again Appreciate what it means to be trusted Be trustworthy Identify people who we can depend on Deal with sad and challenging times. Make life fairer for all Stand up for others Make a difference Include others Bible Stories: Good Samaritan, Lost Sheep Bible Stories: Christmas, Creation Bible Stories: Corinthians 13 - Love Bible Stories: Easter, elements of Joseph Bible Stories: Pentecost Bible Stories: Paralysed Man, Ten Commandments It is expected that the development of values for life will be reinforced and further enhanced through each of the curriculum areas and the extra-curricular life of the school.

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