Worship Committee

Our Worship Committee includes members of the Senior Leadership Team, the RE and Collective Worship leader and a selection of governors, including the Rector of St Mary’s Church. The committee meets termly to help ensure that our whole school community continues to flourish within our distinctive Christian environment.

The committee’s work focuses on the quality and impact of collective worship, the school’s Christian vision and values, and the opportunities provided for spiritual development. Members also listen to the views of pupils through pupil voice to help evaluate and strengthen our effectiveness as a Church school.

Spiritual Development

The committee considers how effectively opportunities for spiritual development are woven throughout school life.

Children from Reception to Year 3 use Wow, Ow and Now:

• Wow moments encourage pupils to respond to awe, wonder and joy.
• Ow moments provide opportunities to reflect on difficult experiences and the challenges people face.
• Now moments encourage pupils to consider how they might respond or take action.

Children in Years 4, 5 and 6 use Windows, Mirrors and Doors:

• Windows provide opportunities for pupils to notice and respond to the world around them. This might include appreciating something in nature, recognising how another person is feeling or becoming more aware of events in their community and the wider world.
• Mirrors encourage pupils to reflect on their own beliefs, experiences and responses.
• Doors inspire pupils to take action and make a positive difference.

Learning Walks

The Worship Committee completes learning walks throughout the year to evaluate and celebrate the distinctive Christian character of our school. These include considering the quality of reflection displays in each classroom, the visibility of our Christian vision and values, and the opportunities pupils have for prayer, reflection and spiritual growth.

Feedback from these learning walks is shared with staff to support a consistent and meaningful Christian environment across the school.

Working with the Diocese

Our RE and Collective Worship leader regularly attends meetings with colleagues from other schools across the Diocese of Rochester. These meetings provide valuable opportunities to share effective practice and support the continuing development of collective worship and spiritual life within our school.

Diocesan Training

Members of staff and governors regularly attend training provided by the Diocese of Rochester to remain informed about current Church of England guidance and effective practice. The Diocese has also delivered training at our school for staff and governors.