At St Joseph’s, daily Collective Worship is at the heart of our school life, reflecting our Mission Statement: “Through love and service, with Jesus in our hearts and heads, we can achieve anything.” These worship sessions provide a dedicated time for our school community to gather in prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth. Each day, we come together to deepen our relationship with God and strengthen the bonds within our community.

Through stories, prayers, and hymns, we encourage our children to embody values such as love, compassion, and respect, creating a nurturing environment where faith is at the centre of all we do. Collective Worship at St Joseph’s fosters a sense of togetherness and moral development, helping our students to live out their faith in practical and meaningful ways as they grow spiritually.

Please explore the sections below to learn more about our approach to Collective Worship at St Joseph’s.

Monday: Celebration of the Word (Pupil Led)

During this weekly collective worship, a collection of liturgies that was written for the children of St Joseph’s is used. It is the intention that the children themselves prepare and lead the celebrations adapting as they see fit. In this way, their faith and their worship becomes a living part of their lives. Our Year 6 children prepare and deliver these liturgies each week. The text is arranged especially to help reading aloud. There are two or three presiders who prepare the week before, so that they are ready for Monday’s gathering and the children are responsible for the preparation of the sacred space. 

Wednesday: Sharing the Gospel

During these weekly assemblies, the Headteacher or the Deputy Headteacher uses the Gospel reading as a basis for reflection and learning. The assembly is also a time to celebrate the children achievements and each week every class teacher chooses a winner of their Guardian of Gospel Values award. These awards are given in recognition of children being witness to their faith within our school community and beyond. 

Friday: In Class Celebration of the Word (Pupil Led)

EYFS and KS1 teachers provide opportunities each week for children to have their own celebration within the class. Children take on leadership roles such as the setting up of the sacred space, the selection of music and sometime the theme. There is a progression from EYFS to Year 2 in place so that by Year 2 the children are beginning to plan the Celebrations of the Word independently.  

KS2 continue this and the children are greatly encouraged and taught to prepare and lead their own class Celebration of the Word each week. They are based upon the Liturgical Year, their current Religion learning and the Sacramental Programme.  

Teachers support children in an age appropriate way throughout the school to evaluate and reflect upon the Celebration of the Word that they have participated in, so that they can then take this in to the  next time that they plan for their class.  

Key Collective Worship Documents