Collective Worship at Sacred Heart RC Primary School

“Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
– Matthew 18:20

At Sacred Heart, Collective Worship is central to our school life, shaping our identity, values, and relationships. Rooted in our mission “We pray, we learn, we discern,” our worship reflects a deep respect for every child’s spiritual journey and celebrates the richness of both our Catholic tradition and our multi-faith community.

We believe that prayer is God’s gift, and it is through our daily acts of worship that pupils learn to listen, reflect, and grow closer to God.

Here at Sacred Heart, worship is embedded throughout the whole curriculum, to understand the awe and wonder of God in our world. 

A Worshipping School Community

Collective Worship is a daily, whole-school experience at Sacred Heart. It takes place in a variety of forms, ensuring a rich and engaging spiritual life for all children:

• Class-based daily collective worship, often led by children themselves.
• Whole school and Key Stage worships in the hall, focused on Scripture, liturgical themes, or Gospel values.
• Wednesday Reflective Worship, in class, where children revisit Tuesday’s Gospel to deepen their understanding and response.
• Weekly singing assemblies, where pupils worship through song, joyfully and reverently.
• Seasonal liturgies aligned with the Church calendar, including Advent, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Harvest, and Saints’ feast days.
• Special celebrations and prayer services, such as Remembrance, CAFOD, Laudato Si', and interfaith events.

Engagement & Participation

Children at Sacred Heart participate actively and enthusiastically in all forms of worship. From the youngest pupils in EYFS to our oldest in Year 6:

• Key Stage 2 children plan and lead daily class worship, selecting themes, Scripture, prayers, and music.
• Key Stage 1 worship is supported by our dedicated Chaplaincy Team, who model leadership and reverence.
• Every classroom has a prayer table, designed and maintained by pupils, with seasonal liturgical colours and artefacts.
• Children sing with joy, pray with meaning, and listen with intent—building a sense of reverence and belonging.

Liturgical Life & Creativity

The Liturgical Year is celebrated in full across the school. Our worship responds to key moments with creativity and depth:

• Children reflect through artwork, writing, drama, and song.
• Each season brings changes to prayer spaces and themes in worship.
• Our staff use visuals, storytelling, Scripture, and song to bring the Gospel to life, ensuring it is inclusive, accessible, and age-appropriate.

Pupil Leadership & Feedback

Pupils are not just participants—they are leaders of worship at Sacred Heart:

• Our Chaplaincy Team lead worship, update prayer spaces, and model spiritual leadership.
• Children regularly complete feedback and evaluations of worship, which are reviewed by the RE Lead and Chaplaincy Team to shape future worship.
• Our Mark 10 Mission sessions (led by the Chaplains) each week include reflective tasks and Gospel responses planned by children.

Use of Scripture

Scripture is at the heart of all we do. Gospel readings are central to our worship:

• Liturgies are Scripture-based, child-friendly, and focused on real-life application.
• Class prayer areas display relevant Bible passages and images to prompt reflection.
• Staff skilfully guide pupils to link the RE curriculum with daily worship, helping pupils understand and live out the Word of God.

An Inclusive Community

Our worship life is designed to be:

• Respectful and inclusive, following the example of Pope Francis in embracing interfaith prayer and understanding.
• Focused on shared values: love, peace, justice, compassion, and a common call to serve others.
• Enriched by the involvement of families and the wider community, who regularly praise the quality and inclusivity of our worship.

Impact of Worship

The impact of worship at Sacred Heart is clear:

• Children speak confidently about their faith, prayer life and values.
• They understand how worship connects with what they learn in RE and with their daily choices and behaviour.
• Children of all faiths are supported in developing spiritual reflection, the ability to pause, pray, and discern.
• Pupils and families alike describe Sacred Heart as a place where God is present, faith is lived, and love is shared.

We don’t just talk about faith - we live it together, every day.