Collective Worship at Debden Primary Academy
The school aims to preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England. Debden Primary Academy aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. Our worship reflects the variety of traditions found in the Church of England and will recognise and follow the Christian liturgical year.
Our daily worship is intrinsically linked with our school’s Christian values and focuses heavily on how to live out those values in our daily lives. We celebrate and consider significant events, festivals and faith days in a fully inclusive way. At Debden Primary Academy, collective worship is:
- Invitational, offering everyone the opportunity to engage in the act of worship, whilst allowing the freedom for those of other faiths and none to be present with integrity.
- Inspiring and creative, impacting the whole community and motivating them into action to be courageous advocates
- Inclusive, where all are welcomed, have a voice and are listened to
Collective worship is at the heart of our school life and reflects our vision:
“That they may have life in all its fullness.”
Through our worship, we explore what it means to live well together, celebrate our shared values, and nurture the spiritual growth of every child.
Our six values support and strengthen this vision, helping us all to learn, love, and live fully.
Collective Worship Structure
Everyday, we gather together as a school to worship. Our Collective Worship structure use aspects of Anglican liturgy to create a framework for worship e.g. gather, engage, respond, send.
- Gather: Entrance music is played as the children enter. Then a shared greeting is read, followed by the lighting of the candle to invite God’s presence into the worship.
- Engage: A hook image/prop/question/story is used to provoke discussion and biblical scripture and teachings linked to the theme is shared.
- Respond: A period of reflection for pupils to contemplate on their own thoughts, feelings and beliefs with question and discussion prompts.
- Send: Sung worship is used as a time of closure and reflection before a prayer is shared, the sending is read and the candle is blown out.
Our school values form the different themes for the Worship- a timetable can be seen below:
The daily routine of Collective Worship can be seen below:
The nativity was amazing and the church service was really lovely, the children all spoke beautifully and it was brilliant to see the choir in action! (Parent)
'Collective Worship is a lovely way for us to come together and be calm and reflect on your life.' (Staff)
'It provides time to slow down and take a moment. I always leave feeling really calm.' (Staff)
