Collective Worship
Collective Worship at Kilnhurst St Thomas' CE Primary Academy
At Kilnhurst St Thomas' , we believe that collective worship is a vital part of our school life. It offers a special time for pupils, staff, and the wider community to come together to reflect, learn, and grow in faith and character. Collective worship is more than a routine; it’s a meaningful opportunity to live out our school vision inspired by the Bible verse John 10:10, “Live life in all its fullness.” It is also a time where we all come together in one community where we all belong.
Why We Have Collective Worship
Collective worship at St Thomas' is a time to nurture the whole child — spiritually, morally, socially, and personally. It aligns closely with our vision of helping children flourish in all aspects of life, not just academically. Through worship, we:
- Foster a sense of community and belonging.
- Encourage reflection on our Christian virtues: kindness, respect, truth, hard work and courage.
- Inspire children to live responsibly and compassionately.
- Provide moments to celebrate achievements, share stories, and develop faith.
- Provide a time for reflection
- Provide opportunities for children to take on a leadership role
- We believe that collective worship is a key way to help children to develop their spirituality by connecting to something bigger than themselves and develop the virtues that will guide them throughout life.
When We Have Collective Worship
Our collective worship takes place daily, bringing the whole school together regularly to focus on shared virtues and spiritual growth. These sessions include:
- Whole-school worship gatherings.
- Class-based reflections and discussions.
- Special worship sessions linked to key Christian festivals and school events.
- Worship in church
- This consistent rhythm supports our children in building habits of reflection, gratitude, and courage to face challenges.
The Purpose of Collective Worship
The purpose of collective worship at St Thomas is to:
- Encourage spiritual growth: Helping children explore faith, hope, and love, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
- Build character: Embedding values such as Kindness (Compassion in Action); Respect (Love in Action); Truth (Living Honestly); Hard work (Strength to Keep Going); Courage (Doing What’s Right Even When It’s Hard).
- Support holistic development: Ensuring children grow socially and morally as well as intellectually.
- Empower responsible living: Equipping children with the moral compass to make positive choices and contribute to society.
For example, through the story of David and Goliath, children learn courage — trusting in God and themselves to overcome their own “giants” like fear or peer pressure.
How Collective Worship Fits with Our Vision and Values.
Our collective worship embodies the essence of “life in all its fullness” by:
- Reflecting our vision: Worship nurtures the spiritual and personal flourishing of every child, helping them realise their full potential.
- Teaching values through stories: We use biblical stories to bring values to life — Ruth’s respect, Joshua’s perseverance, David’s courage, and Abraham’s honesty.
- Connecting faith with daily life: Worship encourages children to apply these values in their learning, friendships, and challenges.
- Creating a caring community: By worshipping together, we strengthen respect and kindness across the school family.