Worship

Collective worship at St Michael’s

At St Michael’s, collective worship is the heartbeat of school life.  It offers a daily opportunity for pupils and staff to explore Christian faith, reflect, and grow spiritually.

Worship may take many forms:

  • Reading a prayer or reflection in tutorial
  • Saying Grace at the end of the day
  • Participating in Eucharist services
  • Leading year group or whole-school gatherings

The Headteacher holds overall responsibility for the worshipping life of the school, supported by the Christian Youth Worker, other staff, and pupils. 

Worship is:

  • Inclusive: Welcoming all, regardless of faith background
  • Invitational: Encouraging participation without compulsion
  • Inspirational: Aiming to uplift and deepen spiritual awareness

Vision and values in worship                                                                              

Our vision is for every pupil, as well as staff and our wider community, to grow in body, mind, and spirit. 

Collective worship supports this by offering space for:

  • Stillness and reflection
  • Connection with God
  • Exploration of Christian beliefs appropriate to age and ability

Worship planning follows Church of England and diocesan guidance, including Vision 2026. It draws on:

  • The Bible as a source of wisdom and inspiration
  • Christian values like forgiveness, compassion, and love
  • Key events such as Remembrance and Holocaust Memorial Week
  • Themes like the Trinity, Jesus’ life and resurrection, and living out faith through service and courageous advocacy

Worship is well planned to be relevant, inspiring and inclusive, with moments for thinking, stillness and vibrant engagement.  Pupils often help plan or lead.  Dance and drama groups, the Armstrong Choir and the worship band regularly enrich collective worship.  Hughes tutorial also supports worship through music and choral contributions.                         

Where possible, we link worship to the school’s vision and mission statements. We cover key Christian themes such as:

  • The fruit of the Spirit
  • The Trinity
  • Jesus’ life, death and resurrection
  • Human nature, sin and the offer of a restored relationship and eternal life through Jesus
  • Living out faith
  • The values of forgiveness, selfless love, redemption and compassion.

We also consider our tutorial patrons, how we can demonstrate Christian charity, and ways in which we can serve God and others locally, nationally and internationally.  

We work to enable pupils to develop an appreciation of Anglican beliefs, practices and liturgy, and acts of worship begin with ‘The Lord be with you’, and end with the Grace or the Lord’s Prayer.  The Bible and prayer are integral to all our acts of worship.

Parents and carers are warmly invited to attend our morning time of worship, please contact school, giving at least 24 hours’ notice, so that we can arrange this for you.