What is Collective Worship?
"A Time to Reflect, Respond and Come Together"
Collective worship is a special and meaningful time during our school day when pupils gather as a community to reflect on their faith, explore Christian values, and celebrate together. Every day, the whole school comes together for an act of collective worship.
Our aim is that worship at High Hurstwood CE Primary School is:
- Inclusive – welcoming all members of our school community
- Invitational – encouraging participation and personal reflection
- Inspiring – uplifting hearts and minds
What Collective Worship Looks Like?
Our worship includes a rich variety of approaches to engage children in their spiritual development:
- Songs and music – traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs
- Stories and readings – Bible stories and passages that bring Christian teachings to life
- Drama and creative expression – bringing stories and values to life in memorable ways
- Reflection and prayer – quiet moments to think, pray and connect with God
All of these approaches help children explore the values that Christians believe to be important and deepen their understanding of faith.
Our Weekly Pattern of Worship
Each day of the week has a different focus, creating a balanced and engaging programme:
- Monday – Introducing New Themes: Led by Mr Pollard and/or Year 6 pupils, we introduce a new theme, Christian value, Bible story, or explore a current Christian festival. This sets the tone for the week ahead.
- Tuesday– Singing Worship: Led by Mr Pollard, children enjoy learning new hymns and songs together. Singing worship is a joyful way to praise God and build our sense of community.
- Wednesday – Exploring the World Around Us: Led by Mrs Fry, we follow the Picture News scheme, exploring current topical issues happening around the world and relating them to Christian values. This helps children understand how their faith connects to the world they live in.
- Thursday– Church-Led Worship: Finn Alexander from Holy Trinity Church leads our collective worship, following the termly theme and bringing the perspective and wisdom of our church community into school.
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Friday – Celebration Worship: We end the week by celebrating our achievements and giving thanks for the week that's passed. Led by Mr Pollard, this is a time to recognise effort, kindness, and success across our school community.
Right to Withdraw
Parents have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from collective worship. If you would like to discuss this, please contact the school office or speak to Mr Pollard.
Find Out More
For more detailed information about our approach to collective worship, please see our Collective Worship Policy on our Policies page.