Collective Worship

A special time to gather, reflect and celebrate together

What is Collective Worship?

Every day at Sheering, our whole school community comes together for Collective Worship - a special time when we pause, reflect and celebrate what matters most.

As a Church of England school, our Collective Worship is Christian in character, helping children learn about the Christian faith and the values that shape our school community. It's a time for:

✨ Reflection - thinking deeply about ourselves, others and the world around us
🎵 Music and singing - expressing joy and exploring meaning through song
📖 Stories - discovering wisdom from the Bible and other inspiring sources
🙏 Prayer and stillness - experiencing moments of quiet and peace
🌟 Celebration - recognizing achievements and giving thanks
💭 Big questions - exploring life's important questions together

An inclusive approach

Sheering is not a faith school - we welcome children and families of all faiths and none.

Our Collective Worship is designed to be:

Invitational - everyone is welcome to participate at a level that feels right for them
Educational - helping all children learn about Christianity and its importance to many people
Respectful - honouring different beliefs and backgrounds
Inclusive - ensuring no one feels pressured to hold particular beliefs

Whether your family is Christian, from another faith tradition, or has no religious affiliation, your child will find something meaningful in our worship time.

What happens in Collective Worship?

Our weekly pattern

Monday - Whole school worship led by our Executive Headteacher/Head of school - focus on our vision and values
Tuesday - Picture News with our Deputy Headteacher
Wednesday - Praise and singing
Thursday - Worship led by Rev. Sophie Weller (Rector of St Mary's Church) or other church representatives
Friday - Celebration Worship - celebrating the week's achievements

Special services at St Mary's Church

Throughout the year, we hold special services at our parish church, St Mary's, for:

Harvest Festival
Christmas
Easter
End of year Leavers' Service

Parents and families are warmly invited to join us for these special occasions.

Children's voices

Children play an active role in our Collective Worship:

Choosing songs and music
Leading prayers and reflections
Performing drama and readings
Planning and leading class worship
Sharing their thoughts and ideas
Evaluating worship and suggesting improvements

We believe that when children participate actively, worship becomes more meaningful and engaging for everyone.

Our Christian values

Our Collective Worship often explores our Christian values:

Curiosity – we ask questions, wonder about the world and enjoy learning
Courage – we are brave, resilient and willing to do the right thing
Compassion – we show kindness, empathy and care for others
Community – we belong, work together and support one another

Through stories, reflection and discussion, children explore how these values can guide their lives and actions.

The Christian year

Throughout the year, we explore the major Christian festivals, helping children understand their meaning and significance:

🍂 Harvest - giving thanks for God's provision
🕯️ Advent - preparing and waiting
⭐ Christmas - celebrating Jesus' birth
🌸 Lent - a time of reflection
✝️ Easter - new life and hope
🔥 Pentecost - the gift of the Holy Spirit

These festivals help children understand the Christian story and how it shapes the lives of Christians around the world.

Parents and families - you're welcome!

We warmly invite you to join us for Collective Worship, especially:

Friday Celebration Worship - celebrating the week's achievements
Festival services at St Mary's Church
Class-led worship - when your child's class is leading
Special occasions throughout the year

There's no expectation to participate in prayers or singing if you prefer not to - simply being present to support your child and our school community is wonderful.

Questions about Collective Worship?

Is my child required to participate?

All children participate in Collective Worship as part of the school day. However, we respect that children will engage at different levels depending on their own beliefs and backgrounds. There is no pressure to pray or participate in ways that feel uncomfortable.

Can I withdraw my child from Collective Worship?

Parents have the legal right to withdraw their child from Collective Worship. If you're considering this, we encourage you to:

Visit a worship session to see what it involves
Discuss any concerns with Mrs James (Executive Headteacher)/ Ms Shaw (Head of School)
Understand that worship is educational and invitational, not requiring faith commitment

What if we're not Christian?

You and your child are warmly welcome at Sheering regardless of your faith background or beliefs. Our Collective Worship is designed to be inclusive and educational, helping all children learn about Christianity while respecting their own beliefs and backgrounds.

What if my child has questions about faith?

We encourage children to ask questions and think deeply about faith and belief. Staff are trained to respond sensitively to children's questions, helping them explore ideas without imposing beliefs.

Our Collective Worship policy

For more detailed information about how we plan, deliver and evaluate Collective Worship, please see our full policy:

[Download Collective Worship Policy - PDF]

Contact us

If you have any questions about Collective Worship at Sheering, please contact:

Mrs James - Executive Headteacher
Miss Shaw - Head of School
Worship Lead - Mrs James

Telephone: 01279 734210
Email: admin@sheering.essex.sch.uk

At Sheering School, where Everyone Matters, Collective Worship is a special time when we come together as a community to reflect, learn, celebrate and grow.