Collective Worship
What is collective worship?
We aim that the collective worship at St. Mary's reflects the Christian foundation of the school and:
- teaches us that we can be inspired to be ‘lights’, inspired by Jesus’ declaration: ‘I am the light of the world’ John 8:12
- enables and equips us to be ‘givers of light’ to others, living our values and vision in everyday life
- gives opportunities for us to gather together as a school family “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” Matthew 18:20
- provides an occasion to praise and glorify God
- cultivates respect of others, as individuals, made in the image of God
- develops an appreciation of every individual’s worth and value to God and their community
- fosters feelings of awe and wonder
- enriches the spiritual awareness of each individual
- equips children with an appropriate ‘worship and prayer vocabulary’
Legal Framework
At St. Mary's we recognise the need to ensure that there is a daily act of collective worship for all pupils (in line with the requirements of the Education Reform Act 1988) and a timetable for daily collective worship has been agreed. The daily act of collective worship takes into account the age aptitude and background of pupils.
How does collective worship happen?
Each day our teachers talk and discuss the 'Thought For The Week' TFTW - a programme of carefully considered quotations that make us think.
In our home classes, we discuss the TFTW and reflect on them through specially crafted exercises. These are recorded in our home class collective worship folder. It is not a lesson but a time to reflect, think and talk. The reflections are taken on post-it notes or through the teacher scribing - these are shared across the school.
Thought for the week (TFTW)
Our pupils are exposed to a BIG PICTURE thinking question or quotation that we use as the inspiration for our weekly collective worship activities. The TFTW helps all children to think beyond the classroom learning - with deep philosophical quotations to inspire.
Acts of Worship
All pupils experience a weekly assembly where the Thought For The Week (TFTW) is explained and introduced.
| Other worship | Expected outcomes |
| Class worship - Reintroduced in 2022 (post-COVID) | These are termly and performed for parents - showcasing learning as well as their engagement with the TFTW program. |
| Home Class Worship - assemblies throughout the week | These pick up the TFTW and support children's understanding at their level - age appropriately. |
To ensure that pupils feel connected to community and the church we are named after, we also utilise our 'Digital Worship' with the pastor team at Saint Mary's Church. You will see the TFTW and St. Mary's Values theses below.
Saint Mary's Church Southampton - Worship
Christian Message of Hope
Feeling a sense of belonging
