Statutory Duty of the School

The law requires all pupils and staff to participate in a daily act of collective worship that is broadly Christian in character and that is appropriate to the age, aptitude and family background of all the pupils. The law does not stipulate time, place, grouping or denomination (nor does it use the word assembly, which is not ‘automatically’ an act of worship).

Aims

The aim of the collective worship policy is to provide the opportunity for pupils to:

• worship and reflect on religious values ;
• reflect on values that are of a broadly Christian nature and on their own beliefs;
• develop a community spirit, a common ethos and shared values;
• consider spiritual and moral issues;
• respond to the worship offered; 

Delivery

At Sandy Lane our assembly / collective act of worship timetable is typically as follows: 

Monday	Whole School 'Values' Assembly led by Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher
Tuesday	Class or Phase Assembly
Wednesday	Class or Phase Assembly
Thursday	Class or Phase Assembly
Friday	Whole School 'PRIDE' Assembly led by Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher

We sometimes have visits from local religious leaders, who sometimes lead the worship in our school. 

Good Practice in Collective Worship

We aim to make our collective act of worship:

• Engaging and meaningful;
• Have a clear purpose;
• Clarify and reaffirm the school’s values;
• Provide an opportunity to think about and discuss moral issues;
• Contribute to the spiritual development of individuals;
• Provide an opportunity for stillness, prayer or reflection;
• Respectful of everyone’s beliefs and cultures;
• An important part of the day;

Withdrawal

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from collective worship if it is at odds with their personal beliefs.   Parents who wish to do this must provide written notification to this effect to the Headteacher.