Worship
"I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."
John 10:10
Worship at St James
As part of a Church of England family, we seek to meet the needs of all children, wherever they may be on their journey of Faith and Belief.
“We want pupils to leave school with a rich experience and understanding of Christianity, and we are committed to offering them an encounter with Jesus Christ and with Christian faith and practice in a way that enhances their lives. Collective worship in schools, including prayer, reading and reflecting on the Bible, liturgy, sacrament and experience of the musical and other imaginative riches of Christianity, provides a vital opportunity for this.”
Collective worship is the unique heartbeat of our school and offers the children the opportunity to encounter Faith by engaging in conversations about God both individually and together. We work in close partnership with the Church community and the Clergy have a pivotal role to play in school.
Collective worship gives pupils and school staff the opportunity to:
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Engage in an act of community.
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Express praise and thanksgiving to God.
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Be still and reflect.
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Explore the big questions of life and respond to national events.
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Foster respect and deepen spiritual awareness.
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Reflect on the character of God and on the teachings of Christ.
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Affirm Christian values and attitudes.
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Share each other's joys and challenges.
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Celebrate special times in the Christian calendar.
Collective Worship
An act of Collective Worship takes place every day and is an integral part of school life, making space for pupils and staff to come together and share in worship through learning, music, reflection and prayer. Our worship is inclusive and gives all of the school community the chance to be part of the experience, while respecting the integrity of family and cultural backgrounds.
Our weekly pattern of collective worship is as follows:
Monday – Head Teacher - Worship based on Christian Values
Tuesday – Deputy Head Teacher - Worship based on Christian Values
Wednesday – Ethos to go / Wiggle Worship
Thursday – Worship led by a Teacher based on British values and current affairs linked to Christian values
Friday - Celebration-based worship
During particular times in the Christian calendar, there will be changes to the above structure.
In addition to this, the children including Children’s Chaplains and Ethos Leaders will lead collective worship across the school and in classes.
Children’s Chaplains support children in their journey through Faith.
Our School Prayer
Each day is a new beginning
so start it with a smile.
Give us the strength and courage
to do things that are worthwhile,
Like loving and forgiving
and having friends to spare,
To make somebody happy
and show them that you care.
Help us work together
every single day,
So that we dream, believe, learn, achieve,
in our special St James way.
Amen.