Ankermoor Primary School Worship Policy Adoption Date: See Policy File Review:
Worship and Assembly Policy Overview Collective Worship is a special time when the whole school comes together as a community to learn, contribute and celebrate. Children and staff experience a corporate identity and a sense of belonging. In assemblies time is given to reflect upon the achievements of others, appreciate the natural world and to listen to stories from Christianity and other faiths. Time is set aside for prayer or reflection. Beliefs that are broadly Christian can also be found in other major world faiths e.g. God, love, peace, good, charity, tolerance and co-operation. A broad and flexible approach should not therefore affect the integrity of anyone at our school, but may develop the spiritual awareness of those taking part. We see our times of collective worship, therefore, as one of the most important ways of developing the ethos of our school s life, its values and aspirations as well as promoting an awareness of the local, wider and world communities. Values such as honesty, respect, peace, hope, friendship, courage and caring are all part of our approach. The promotion of responsibilities, as well as rights, is essential for all, maintaining an intentional life learning experience. Statutory Requirements Collective worship at Ankermoor Primary School complies with the legal requirements set out in the 1988 Education Reform Act. The law states that Collective worship must be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian nature, which means that it reflects the broad traditions of Christian belief. Collective worship, however, must also allow for the age, aptitude and family background of pupils. This means that our acts of worship, though broadly Christian, does not necessarily contain Christian material only. Right of withdrawal We expect all children to attend assembly. However, any parent can request permission for their child to be excused from religious worship, and the school will make alternative arrangements for the supervision of the child during that part of the assembly. Parents do not have to explain or give reasons for their request. This right of withdrawal complies with the 1944 Education Act, and was restated in the 1988 Education Reform Act. All teachers, including the head teacher, have the right of withdrawal from the Act of Collective Worship, but the head teacher, maintains statutory accountability for Acts of Collective Worship at Ankermoor Primary School. This right of withdrawal doesn t extend to assemblies e.g SEAL themed assemblies and achievers assemblies. Overall Aim: That our children grow into responsible, caring, active members of society who are confident, independent, lifelong learners with spiritual and emotional awareness and resilience.
Aims provide our children with regular opportunities for stillness and reflection as well as celebrate the values and worth of the school community and all who belong in it, including the sharing of the gifts, talents and achievements of our children and staff. promote children s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development celebrate and give thanks for the achievements of those outside of the context of the school both historically and in the present. Children will be encouraged to view both the local as well as the international communities, and begin to understand significant occasions including festivals. support the broader curriculum through the use of art, music, dance, story, drama and other visual and oral means of communication show by example how children can be good caring citizens promoting tolerance, compassion and understanding towards others. To further appreciate and be thankful for all we have and opportunities available to us within our society. help children develop and understanding both of the nature, symbolism and language of worship help children to develop respect and sensitivity to the beliefs and values of others create an atmosphere of security and belonging to the whole school community where everyone is valued, respected and can be a participator as well as receiver. Planning, Record Keeping and Monitoring Themes are planned each term and are explored on a weekly basis. They are linked to the Christian Calendar, Festivals, SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) materials, Topics/Themes from the schools Long Term Curriculum Planning and the celebration of special occasions throughout the year, including events which occur within the school. Daily records of the acts of Collective Worship are kept in the Collective Worship folder/learning Platform and it is the responsibility of those staff who take assembly to record the assembly for that day. Monitoring procedures are carried out by the Co-ordinator for Collective Worship.
Organisation Monday: 10.15 am Whole school led by HT- themes relevant to school action and curriculum planning Tuesday: 10.15am Whole School- led by senior leaders- SEAL based assembly Wednesday: Time to suit Class Based Worship. Themes relevant to SEAL, Circle Time or current Calendar events and festivals. Thursday: 10.15am or 2.50pm Guest Assembly or Class Worship/Reflection fortnightly we have rotated in guest Vicars/Priests to lead assemblies. Opportunities for classroom reflection are available for those classes not attending. Opportunity for singing and reflecting on the meaning of the songs we bring to our assemblies. Friday: 10.15am Celebration Assembly- led by Head Teacher - a time to reflect on the positives of the week, celebrate achievement in learning and attitude. Review House points for each house and reward winners. Celebrate achievement gained from external activities. Enjoy individual performances in dance, music and drama. Autumn Term A *denotes SEAL/PSHE linked themes *New Beginnings* Ganesh-Chaturthi (Hindu, 7 th Sep) Team Spirit Lailat-ul-Bara h (Islamic Holy Night 20 th Sept Eid(Islamic) 19 th Sep) 18 th 20 th Sept Jewish New year Rosh Hashanah International Day of Peace 21 st Sept European day of language 26 th Sept Roles in our community Ramadan-Muslim 24 th Sep Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year St Michael Michaelmas 29 th Sep Thinking of others 1 st -31 st Oct International walk to school month 1 st 31 st Oct Black History Month Yom Kippur-Jewish 2 nd Oct Succot (Jewish) begins 7 th Oct world poetry day 8 th Oct, Caring at Harvest time *New Beginnings Feedback* 18 th Oct Age Concern great Sunday roast,st Luke 18 th Oct Diwali 21 st Oct Id-ul-Fitr 24 th Oct United Nations Day 24 th Oct, Everyone writes day 23 rd Oct,
Autumn Term B *Getting On & Falling Out*5 th Nov- Guy Fawkes Day, 8 th Nov Remembrance Sunday, Lessons to remember Remembrance Sunday 8 th, Armistice Day 11 th, Life s ups & downs16th -20 th Nov Anti bullying week, 20 th Nov UN Children s day, 21 st World Hello day Be a light Proverbs 13.9 Guru Nanak 23 rd Nov, 23 rd -29 th Road Safety Week, 25 th -6 th Dec National Tree Week, 29 th Nov Advent Sunday. *Getting On & Falling Out Feedback* St Andrew s Day 30 th Nov Good over bad Advent begins 1 st Dec6 th Dec St Nicholas day,10 th Dec Human/children s rights day, 12 th Hannukah (Jewish) 25 th Christmas (Christian) Christmas related themes Christmas related themes Spring Term A *Going For Goals* B day of Guru Gobing Singh 5 th Jan Epiphany 6 th Jan Id-ul-Adha 10 th Jan I can have willpower 21 st UN day of Peace Actions speak louder than words If at first you don t succeed Al Hijrah Muslim New Year 31 st Jan *Going For Goals Feedback* Spring Term B *Feels Good* Ash Wednesday 6 th Feb Yuan Tan Chinese New Year 14 th Feb Maha Shivrati 16 th Feb, Shrove Tuesday 16 th Feb. Honesty is the best policy St David s day 1 st Mar, 4 th Mar World Book day, A clear conscience Holi 4 hh Mar Forgive & Forget *Feels Good Feedback* St Patrick s Day 17 th Mar Mothering Sunday 18 th Mar Annunciation Lady day 25 th Mar Shri Ram Navami 26 th Mar Palm Sunday 1 st April Good Friday 21 st March, 22 nd Mar World water Day, Easter Sunday
*Uncomfortable Feeling* 7 th April World Health Day Summer Term A Regretful actions Pesach/Jewish Passover 20 th April Solving problems St George s Day 23 rd April Politeness costs nothing Buddha Day 2 nd May Think before you speak World Red Cross Day 8 th May Europe Day 9 th May *Uncomfortable Feelings Feedback* Ascension 17 th May The Moral of the story is 17 th -21 st May Walk to School Week Summer Term B *Changes* 5 th June World Environment day, 20 th June Fathers Day Use your time wisely St Barnabas 11 th June Time flies when your having fun Fathering Sunday 15 th June Guru Arjan Dev 16 th June Give generously St John the Baptist 24 th June St Peter 29 th June Tomorrow is another day Independence Day-USA 4 th July *Changes Feedback* Looking forwards/looking backwards Monitoring and review Monitoring the policy and practice of collective worship is the role of the Head Teacher the school governor body and the co-ordinator for worship. This policy was reviewed and revised March 2013 and will be reviewed next September 2013.