Collective Worship
Our School Community
As a Catholic school, our faith shapes every aspect of daily life—from lessons and celebrations to the way we treat one another. Prayer and liturgy are central to our school community, offering moments of reflection, connection, and spiritual growth for all. We welcome families of all faiths and none, fostering a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusion inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ. Working in partnership with families, we nurture each child’s unique gifts and help them flourish within our diverse, faith-filled environment.
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Prayer and Worship
At St Mary’s, daily prayer and worship are integral to our school life, nurturing a strong sense of spiritual community. We provide diverse opportunities for children to deepen their faith and connect with God through various expressions of prayer and worship.
Our Collective Worship and Liturgical Prayer are designed to be reverent, engaging, and thought-provoking, encouraging sincere reflection and personal encounters with Jesus. Pupils actively participate in Acts of Worship and confidently lead them with creativity and enthusiasm.
Children are supported in exploring different ways to pray – through song, silence, spontaneous and traditional prayers, both individually and collectively. These experiences help them appreciate the significance of prayer in their spiritual journey.
Each classroom features a dedicated prayer space, marked by a cloth reflecting the liturgical season, serving as a focal point during worship. Additionally, every class maintains an R.E. display that highlights the current unit’s story and poses key questions to inspire deeper understanding.
Seasonal Provision
Our school community embraces the rhythm of the liturgical year, allowing faith to shape every aspect of school life. As the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time unfold, our themes, prayers, and classroom focus reflect the Church’s journey. Displays and prayer spaces are thoughtfully prepared to mirror each season’s meaning, inviting students into deeper reflection and participation. From joyful celebrations to moments of quiet preparation, the environment and curriculum work together to nurture a living faith, helping children experience the beauty and richness of Catholic tradition throughout the year. All of this is carefully planned and outlined in our Annual Plan of Provision to ensure consistency and depth across the school.
School Prayers
The Rosary
October is a special month in the Church dedicated to the Rosary, a beautiful prayer that helps us reflect on the life of Jesus and Mary. All children are warmly invited to join in praying the Rosary during break time throughout October. This is a wonderful opportunity to pause, pray, and grow closer to God together.
Celebration of the Word
Children are at the heart of our school, and we support children to freely express and develop their spirituality in interesting, child friendly ways that gives them the space to celebrate the Word of God and inspire children to live out their faith in all that they do. Children take an active role in preparing and leading Collective Worship in their classrooms. They help create a prayerful atmosphere, select the Gathering, Scripture (the Word), Response, and Mission elements.
Prayer and Liturgy Guidance
The Prayer and Liturgy Directory: To Love You More Dearly is a national guide that supports schools in helping children grow in their relationship with God. It encourages meaningful prayer and worship, offering practical ways for young people to encounter Jesus and deepen their faith through reflection, celebration, and community.
The Diocese of Nottingham Planning and Celebrating Prayer & Liturgy with Young People, helps schools and parishes create meaningful prayer experiences. It offers practical support tailored to our local context and complements the national Prayer & Liturgy Directory, helping children grow in faith through engaging worship.
Word of the Week
Each week we explore a ‘Word of the Week’ which is often connected to Sunday’s Gospel or liturgical themes. This is shared weekly with our pupils and their families and is a central focus in our Celebration of the Word.
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Collective Worship Progression
Through a carefully planned progression of skills starting in Foundation 1, our pupils develop into thoughtful and capable leaders of worship by the end of Key Stage 2—able to plan and lead powerful and purposeful prayer experiences.
St Mary’s Prayer and Liturgy leads are Ms O’Neill and Mrs McDonald.
