The beating heart of school life – life bringing and life giving.
Collective Worship
Our Collective Worship is at the heart of school life and reflects our Christian vision in every aspect. Pupils, staff and the wider school community actively participate, helping to shape and contribute to worship that is meaningful and relevant. It is a valued part of our school day and welcomes all.
The church year, important contextual themes and our vision set the themes explored in Collective Worship which are shared with parents through newsletters and updates, ensuring the whole community is aware of the values and messages being explored. Our website and newsletters provide a “window” into these moments, showing how worship is lived out, connected to our school vision and embedded in the daily life of our school.
It is inclusive, invitational and inspiring. It is educational in nature and does not make any assumptions of the world views of the collective.
We are inclusive by ensuring
- Themes are relevant to all age ranges and abilities.
- We engage pupil participation.
- Pupil’s lead our Worships.
- Use of language is inclusive for all.
- We use images from the worldwide Church.
- We use a variety of styles when we reflect and engage with story.
- We choose our words carefully for prayer.
‘God’s love is for all’
We are invitational by ensuring
- A warm, open and generous welcome is given to all.
- Worship appeals to the senses.
- We cater for all learning styles
- We are aware of spiritual styles.
- We promote all pupil contributions.
- We use words of prayer as suggestions.
- We accept various levels of involvement.
‘Warm fires open doors’
We are inspiring by ensuring
- We create a worshipful atmosphere.
- We use sounds and silence, stillness and movement.
- We are responsive to context.
- We deliver a living message for all.
- We deliver through our value of creativity.
- We inspire through wisdom, form and holy living.
‘awe and wonder’
Connecting Faith, Learning and Community
Our school’s Christian vision is woven into the daily life of our community and shared openly with families and partners.
Through our regular newsletters, we celebrate how our values shape learning, relationships and the way we care for one another.
Strong links with our parish enable us to worship together, learn from one another and support the spiritual growth of our pupils.
Throughout the year, school events and collective celebrations provide opportunities for children to live out our Christian ethos in action.
We also offer “windows into school life” through photos, stories and updates that highlight moments of reflection, service, creativity, and joy, showing our vision alive in every aspect of school life.
The Holy Evangelist Church, Shipton
Our local parish church is The Holy Evangelist Church, Shipton. The church was built in 1849 and is a very distinctive Victorian building, easily visible from the A19 road.
Throughout the year, we collaborate with the church to hold a range of events including; Easter service, collective worship, Service for the local care home residents and our Year 6 Leavers Service.
Weekly Sunday services are currently led by Rev. Catherine Toase and all are welcome and encouraged to join.
Our Partnerships
We work closely with the York Diocese and Methodist Schools, drawing on their guidance, support, and shared Christian values to enrich our school’s life and learning.
Through this partnership, we strengthen our curriculum, worship, and community links, ensuring that our vision is lived out in ways that reflect the breadth and depth of both Anglican and Methodist traditions.