Welcome to
St. Peter's Droitwich C of E Academy
"Love, Learn, Live"
Slideshow
Monitoring
Monitoring is used for self evaluation and to make improvements in Collective Worship. School Improvement Board members of the SMSCD committee report on the effectiveness of Collective Worship and the impact it has on the daily life of the school. Other members of staff and children are also asked to evaluate worship sharing ideas of how to improve.
Autumn
| Sharing the School's Vision | The Parable of the Two Houses | |
| What specifically are we trying to find out? |
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Learning Was a bible story shared? | The children were given an explanation of ‘Love, learn, live,’ using sign language for the words as well as a fresh explanation of the vision and the vision was unpacked linking it with the wide scope of scripture (teaching of OT and NT). In particular the story of the Two Houses was mentioned and how this links to the vision. The interactive and repetitive approach engaged the children and it was good to see how even the youngest were showing a level of understanding.
I was encouraged to hear how the vision was explained in a way that was connected to their wider school life and community beyond the school. There was lots of information, which may be a concern if this was a one-off message, but it was clear that this would be reinforced in future CW’s as well as in the class context. It will be important that there is regular revisiting in different contexts. | The Parable of the Two Houses – the pupil’s leading the assembly told the story using interaction from the whole school and went on to explain the meaning of the story. |
Reflecting How were the vision and values of the school referred to? | The children were being introduced to their new pin badges and were shown the design, before receiving their badges later that day. The children were helped to understand how this connected them together as a community and also as part of the wider River’s family.
It was good to see how the children were ready to respond and excited about their badges. There was not a great deal of opportunity in this CW for the children to discuss what they had heard, so future opportunities to do this will be needed. | During the assembly the children spoke about God’s love for us and about what we learn from Jesus in this parable and how that is relevant for our lives. They also explored how we live out the message by giving examples of what it could mean for the other pupils. The natural way in which the pupils unpacked and applied the story in this way showed the established pattern that takes place regularly across the school life.
As the pupils led us in prayer and reflection they encouraged everyone to take time to think about others and their wider lives. |
Responding How can children take the message out into their daily lives? | By wearing their badge as part of the St Peter’s community as a reminder of the vision to ‘Love, Learn and Live.’
The badges seem to catch the children’s attention and will be a good way to talk about the vision and remind them what matters within the school community. They were encouraged to think about the whole of their lives and the wider community that they are part of. | Those leading the assembly set a challenge to the other children about how they could live in the right way and do their best. The challenge acknowledged that we can all grow and gave a very practical way to approach this. The challenge would be carried out as a class for the younger ones and as individuals for the older children.
By thinking about their daily choices and attitudes the message of the parable could be lived out in very real and tangible ways. |
| What are our conclusion? | I was encouraged to see how the vision was communicated in an interactive way, reinforcing the language, thinking and values that the children are familiar with. Introducing the badge at the whole school CW felt like an important and helpful way to revisit the vision together.
Working well: the way in which the vision is explained and the use of sign language and the badges to embed the key words. Visions and interaction were used effectively. What needs improvement: This whole school moment allowed the collective moment of thinking about the vision and being introduced to the badges etc. There needs to be ongoing reinforcement, unpacking and exploration of the vision across the life of the school. It is good to hear that the story of the two houses will be unpacked in the whole school CW the following day to reinforce the connectedness to the vision and how it helps us to understand what it is to live out Jesus’ teachings. | I was very impressed with those who led the collective worship. They had thought through how to communicate the Bible story and showed a clear grasp of the meaning. They seemed confident leading in front of the whole school and came alive when they were applying the story to their lives. The challenge that was set for the other pupils clearly got their interest and both the challenge and content of the CW was appropriate and accessible for all ages and backgrounds.
Working well – the children’s understanding of the parable and how it links in with their lives and school community. Also the invitational nature so children of all faiths and none could engage with the collective worship in a meaningful way. Improvement – This particular group are looking for a few extra members to join them which will give an opportunity for more children to gain confidence at regularly leading worship. Their enthusiasm is contagious so it would be good for others to gain from that. |
| The Calling of St. Peter | Spirituality at St. Peter's Introduction of WOWS OWS and NOWS | |
| What specifically are we trying to find out? |
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Learning Was a bible story shared? | The story of Jesus calling Peter – this was shared by the story being read by different members of staff as well as through the songs that were sung. At each service different staff showed a good level of understanding of the story and engagement with it in the way that they read it. This was a familiar story that is told regularly and I wondered if the children would engage again. The enthusiasm and freshness in which the story was told meant the children were transfixed again. | |
Reflecting How were the vision and values of the school referred to? | Using the story of St Peter the children were given the opportunity to answer questions which helped them to explore what it means to live out the teachings of Jesus and the impact that they have on our lives. There was a huge desire from a large number of children to contribute which was encouraging to see and hear. The ‘things that are most important to us here are St Peter’s’ were explored in the context of his story and how they were similar or different to him, but faced similar challenges with the choices they make. Most of the children seemed very engaged, with those who were less so finding themselves drawn back in as interactive activities and discussions took place as well as the story being told and engaging songs being sung. Time was also given for space for reflection and prayer. | |
Responding How can children take the message out into their daily lives? | During the CW time was taken to get the children to think about what this all meant in their every day lives. Reference was made to things in school life and well as encouraging them to think about what this would mean in their every day lives. I was impressed to hear the way in which this was discussed as although faith was clearly spoken of, the examples that were given were accessible to all. The style was both gently challenging in a way that showed it was important as well as very invitational getting the children to think about how it would benefit them and those around them. | |
| What are our conclusion? | Holding the service in the church is a different environment for the children and allowed them to engage in worship and experience reflection and prayer in a different environment. The children and staff were helped to navigate the environment and engage in worship.
It is a school tradition to mark St Peter’s day and this was done in a way that helped the children understand that it was a day that lots of other people remembered St Peter, but that for them they learned from St Peter’s life all the time and how much he mattered for the school.
What is working well? A long established tradition, that connects them with the wider church had both a familiarity and freshness. This year each year had to have a service in their bubble due to COVID restrictions, but this gave the opportunity to tailor the service a little more to each year group.
What needs improvement? St Peter’s has strong tradition of marking St Peter’s day and it is important to get the balance between the established traditions and keeping it fresh. The balance seemed good this time, but is something to keep an eye on. |
Summer
| Lenten Collective Worship | The Miracles of Jesus | |
| What specifically are we trying to find out? | If Collective Worship on-line continued to promote the school’s Christian vision and values? | Whether on-line acts of Collective Worship during lockdown continued to promote the school’s Christian vision and values. We’re they meaningful, and likely to promote the children’s spiritual development? |
Learning Was a bible story shared? | This act of Collective Worship took place at the start of Lent so the temptations of Jesus was the focal biblical story especially how and why Jesus felt and acted at this time e.g. Jesus fasted in order to create more time to pray to God and work out how to go about His ministry. Video clip shared featuring children answering questions about what they knew about Lent and Easter. Worship leader then followed up on their comments e.g. giving up something for Lent, making a sacrifice, and the reasons why Christians do this – preparation to celebration of Easter. This was well explained and good examples given. | |
Reflecting How were the vision and values of the school referred to? | Several references made to school’s golden rule “We share, we care, we tell the truth,” in relation to making time to think of the needs of others by undertaking small acts of kindness. | The value of joy and thanksgiving was explored using an animated video clip of Jesus healing the ten lepers. It was pointed out that although ten lepers were healed, only one returned to say “thank you” to Jesus. This man wanted Jesus to know how thankful he was.
Children asked to reflect on a recent occasion when they said, “thank you”. To whom did they say “thank you” and why? School’s first golden rule referred to I.e. we care ……. |
Responding How can children take the message out into their daily lives? | Children challenged to clean their bedrooms at the weekend as an act of kindness to parents, and to think of what they might do for others to show kindness. | An illustrated version of the legend of “The elves and the shoemaker” was shared . Children again challenged to think about how the characters in the story reacted and why. |
| What are our conclusion? | This act of worship was well planned and resourced. Thought had been given to Anglican practice e.g. the liturgical colour purple was utilised as the background colour for the slides. The children are obviously familiar with some aspects of Anglican liturgy e.g. the Trinity, the Lord’s Prayer, and were invited to join in the praise song and final prayer. They were also encouraged to chat with those at home about what they knew about Lent and Easter.
This act of worship was engaging for adults and children. It presented opportunities for praise, prayer, reflection, and learning not only about religion but learning from religion too.
Would be useful to conduct some pupil voice sessions after lockdown to assess the impact Collective Worship has made, and how much information children have retained, and whether they have participated in the challenges set/sought to practise the Christian values conveyed. | Not possible to assess impact of this act of worship as it was on-line, but its format was engaging. Opportunities were taken for reflection around the school’s golden rule, “we care, we share, we tell the truth”. Children challenged to apply message of expressing gratitude for acts of kindness they experience, and to consider how they can offer help to others in need.
Good use of resources to foster engagement with the theme of this act of Collective Worship and subject specific vocabulary e.g. miracle well explained. |