Worship

At Wilmcote C of E Primary, Collective Worship is the "beating heart of our school". It is a special time for us to come together as a school family, offering a space for shared experiences, quiet reflection, and engagement with Christian stories and practices. Collective Worship is central to our school's life, helping us to step away from our busy days to explore bigger questions of meaning and purpose. 

Our school vision for everyone, "I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19), inspires everything we do, guiding our understanding of spirituality for the entire school community. Through worship, we explore how this vision calls each of us to discover our unique, God-given gifts, build a strong and supportive community, and use our talents to make a positive impact on the world. 

Collective worship at Wilmcote is always inclusive, invitational, and inspiring. We warmly welcome every member of our school community, whatever their beliefs, to participate in a way that feels right for them. We invite children to pray if they wish, but always provide the opportunity for quiet, personal reflection 

Pattern of Worship 

The worship table in the school entrance and hall has a runner to reflect the season of the Church year. 

● Value poster/picture. 

● Bible open at the story for the day/week. 

● An artefact or object where appropriate. 

The structure of Welcoming, Learning, Reflecting, and Responding shapes our collective worship time together. 

Welcoming 

Our daily worship follows a familiar pattern. We gather together, light three candles to symbolise the Trinity and signal the start of worship, and welcome everyone. A form of words is suggested in the text which may be spoken during the lighting of the candles. The root of the worship is the Bible story or message and is usually introduced during this time. 

Learning 

The Learning element is when new possibilities or different perspectives are opened up. This part of worship encourages us to look at the world through "windows," recognising 

both its "WOWS" (awe-inspiring moments) and "OWS" (challenging experiences), prompting wonder and questioning. 

Reflecting 

The reflecting element encourages everyone to consider how the Bible story or stimulus has resonated with or challenged them. This is a time for "mirrors," reflecting inwards on our own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, and connecting external experiences with our inner selves. We also acknowledge the "NOWS" of life—the stillness and ordinariness of everyday moments where spiritual opportunities can arise. 

Responding 

Responding is the final element in worship and provides an opportunity to consider how God might be challenging us to "step out" and play our part in making a difference either as individuals or as part of the whole school community. This element is about "doors," which encourages us to respond actively and creatively to what has been learned, leading to transformed attitudes and actions. 

Weekly Schedule 

● Monday: Vision and Values - We use the Roots and Fruits resource to explore our school values with Mr. Whiting. This resource helps us understand Christian values by connecting them to stories from the Bible. Our core values of Friendship, Kindness, Respect, and Trust are the "tools" that help us become "fishers of men" by guiding how we treat others and share God's love. 

● Tuesday: Our World and Our Place in it - We engage with Picture News—looking at British Values, UN rights of the child, and important weekly news topics, led by Mrs. Doney. Picture News is a resource that uses a single, thought-provoking picture and a current news story to create a focal point for discussion and debate. This helps us think about how we can be good citizens who have a positive impact on our wider community and society. 

● Wednesday: Classroom Reflection - Classes spend time exploring the worship from Monday more deeply. This is a chance for children to "unpick" the meaning of the value and Bible story, ask questions and reflect in smaller groups, and connect it to their own lives. 

● Thursday: Worship Through Song - Led by Mr. Rawson or Miss Veillet, children are invited to sing a range of traditional and contemporary songs. The songs are chosen to be inclusive with our community and to connect with our worship themes, allowing us to express ourselves through music. 

● Friday: Celebration and Achievement - Mr. Whiting leads our celebration worship, a time to recognise and celebrate individuals who have shown our school's vision and values in their actions. We share children's work and achievements, and once a month, we are delighted to welcome parents to join us. This is an important time to celebrate how our children are flourishing and using their God-given gifts. 

As well as supporting children to fulfil their potential academically, the school is passionate about developing children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) education. One of the ways to achieve this is through Collective Worship, which provides a space for shared experiences, reflection, invitational prayer, and engagement with Christian practices and stories. It offers opportunities to reflect on the "wows" and "ows" of life, fostering empathy and responsibility.