Collective Worship at St Mary’s

At St Mary’s, Collective Worship is a daily opportunity to pause, reflect and grow together as a school community. It sits at the heart of who we are and what we believe.

Our worship is shaped by our school vision:

"At the heart of our community, we serve to embrace lifelong learning through our Christian foundations. We step forward with love in our hearts, peace in our actions and hope in our aspirations. We enable all to: flourish in our diversity of faith and belief, be ambitious and be our unique selves."

This vision is lived out through our acts of Collective Worship, which help children and adults alike to grow spiritually, morally, socially, and culturally.

Worship That Is Invitational, Inclusive, and Inspirational

At St Mary’s, our worship follows the Church of England’s approach, ensuring that it is always:

• Invitational – Worship offers everyone the opportunity to engage in a way that is meaningful to them, with no expectation to participate in a set way.
• Inclusive – Our worship reflects and respects the diverse backgrounds, faiths and beliefs of our whole school family.
• Inspirational – Each act of worship is carefully planned to inspire deeper thinking, nurture spiritual growth, and connect with our school values of love, peace, and hope.

Our Worship Routine

Entering the Hall
Children enter the hall in respectful silence, creating a calm, reflective atmosphere for worship to begin

Lighting the Candles

Worship begins with the leader saying:

“Let us light our candles”, followed by the candle prayer:

“A tiny light, a tiny prayer, for God’s blessings everywhere.”

This marks the beginning of a special time together, focusing hearts and minds.

Singing Together
Hymns and reflective songs are an important part of our worship. Staff model participation by singing alongside their classes, helping to create a sense of unity and shared purpose.

A Time of Stillness and Silence

At an appropriate point during Collective Worship, the leader gently invites the children into a moment of silence and stillness. The worship leader models stillness, their presence calm and grounded, helping children know that this is a time to simply stop. This pause is not about saying or doing anything, but about creating space in 'the now'. In this moment, children are encouraged to connect to their own thoughts, feelings, or even just the experience of sitting in a peaceful room with others.

Children Leading Prayer
At the end of worship, our Collective Worship Prayers are led by children, encouraging responsibility and voice. Everyone is invited to bow their heads in respect for all faiths and beliefs, taking a moment to reflect.

Dismissal Blessing
Worship closes with the words:

“Go with the love of God as the Father,
the peace of God as the Son,
and the hope of God as the Holy Spirit in your hearts.”

We then sing our school scripture, sending children out uplifted and ready for the day.

Leaving the Hall
Children walk back to class in silence, carrying the theme of worship into their learning and their relationships throughout the day.

Collective Worship at St Mary’s is more than a routine—it is a living expression of our vision, values, and commitment to the flourishing of every child. Through stillness, song, story and prayer, we nurture love in our hearts, peace in our actions, and hope in our aspirations.