Collective worship

Collective Worship is a time when the whole school, or groups within the school meet together in order to consider and reflect on common concerns, issues and interests. It offers all pupils an opportunity to reflect or worship through engaging in relevant, meaningful experiences and provides opportunities for the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

All schools must provide religious education and daily collective worship for all registered pupils and promote their spiritual, moral and cultural development. Religious education and collective worship make an important, although not exclusive, contribution to the spiritual, moral and cultural development of the children. These activities offer explicit opportunities for pupils to consider the response of religion to fundamental questions about the purpose of being, morality and ethical standards, and to develop their own response to such matters.

At Great Bedwyn School the children enjoy acts of collective worship and can relate their learning to everyday life.  Collective worship is seen as a special time of the day and children have a positive attitude towards it.  All acts of worship include a time for quiet reflection. Our Collective Worship takes place in a variety of ways throughout the school year. This might include whole school, class, sing and praise, worship led by our parish vicar or the Open the Book team, and weekly celebration worship where families are warmly invited. Our Collective Worship committee, of Year 4 pupils, and other pupils, regularly help plan and organise our whole school worship and are actively involved.

Throughout the year, we celebrate key Christian festivals such as Harvest, Christmas, and Easter, as well as reflective moments like Remembrance.  On these special occasions, our school and wider community come together to worship in church, filling the space with a wonderful sense of togetherness.

We also make regular use of our beautiful outdoor spaces to support the children’s spiritual development. For example, we hold our Bluebell Service in the woodland, celebrate Harvest in the fields, and enjoy quiet reflection in our Spiritual Garden.

Through our RE lessons and wider curriculum, children learn about the important festivals and traditions of different world faiths. We are a welcoming and inclusive school, where all beliefs are respected and valued.