A Time to Pause, Reflect and Grow

At St John's Church of England Primary Academy, collective worship is at the heart of our school day. It provides a special opportunity for our whole school community to come together to pause, reflect and consider how we can live out our Christian vision in our everyday lives.

Inspired by the Parable of the Good Samaritan, our worship encourages us to grow as people of hope, compassion and kindness. It is a time when we celebrate our achievements, support one another, explore Christian teachings and reflect on how our REACH values of Resilience, Excellence, Agape, Community and Hope can shape the choices we make each day.

Our worship is rooted in our Christian foundation while remaining welcoming and inclusive for everyone. It is invitational, meaning that every member of our school community is encouraged to engage in a way that is meaningful and appropriate for them. We value and respect the diverse beliefs and experiences within our school family.

What Does Collective Worship Look Like?

Collective worship takes place every day and includes a variety of experiences throughout the week.

Children regularly take part in:

• singing and worship through music
• exploring Bible stories and their relevance today
• learning about Christian festivals and traditions
• moments of quiet reflection
• prayer
• celebrating our REACH values
• recognising achievements and acts of kindness
• opportunities to reflect on how we can make a positive difference to others.

Each week, one of our REACH values is explored in greater depth, helping children understand how these values can be lived out both in school and beyond.

Spiritual Development

Collective worship plays an important role in nurturing children's spiritual development.

It provides opportunities for children to wonder, ask questions, reflect on their own beliefs and values, appreciate the beauty of the world around them and consider their place within it. We encourage children to think deeply about themselves, their relationships with others and how they can contribute positively to their communities.

These moments of reflection help children develop confidence, empathy, resilience and hope as they continue their journey through school and beyond.

Working Together with Our Church Community

We are proud of our close partnership with St John's Church and the wider Diocese of Lichfield.

Members of the clergy regularly lead worship in school and support children in exploring the Christian faith through stories, celebrations and key events within the Church calendar. We also visit church throughout the year, helping children deepen their understanding of Christian worship and traditions in meaningful and memorable ways.

These strong partnerships enrich school life and strengthen the sense of community that is central to our Christian vision.

What SIAMS Said About Our Worship

During our SIAMS inspection in June 2026, inspectors recognised collective worship as one of the school's notable strengths.

They found that worship is welcoming, inclusive and central to the life of the school. Inspectors noted that it enables pupils and adults to reflect on the school's Christian vision and values, contributes to spiritual growth and provides opportunities for individuals to engage in ways that are meaningful to them. They also recognised the positive contribution made by our partnership with the local church in enriching children's understanding of the Christian faith and the Church calendar.

We are incredibly proud that collective worship continues to be a cherished part of daily life at St John's, helping our whole school community to grow together in faith, hope, love and service.