Celebration of the Word and prayer is at the heart of our role as a Catholic School. Our coming together to worship and pray is that special moment in each day when we are drawn together, enabling the spiritual development of each child and providing opportunities to develop a personal relationship with God. As an integral part of our Catholic ethos, all pupils are made aware, throughout the school year, of the changes and celebrations relating to the Church’s Liturgical Year. The children are aware of the liturgical changes with the changing colours of our cloths and displays. 

Class-based Prayer

At All Saints’, we are proud of our faith. This is reflected in our learning environment, seen in corridors, classrooms and in our hall. We provide regular opportunities for our children to engage with prayer, worship and Celebration of the Word.

At the end of each of the nine RE units each class covers throughout the year, the children will prepare and share a Celebration of the Word with their class. This usually takes place in the classroom, but can also take place outside in our prayer garden, or elsewhere in a quiet, prayerful space. This Celebration of the Word is a chance to reflect on and respond to what the children have been learning in RE, and to celebrate as a class community. 

Other forms of worship are arranged at special times during the school year with opportunities to take part in carol services, celebration Masses, including Holy days of Obligation, Stations of the Cross, Reconciliation or other traditional devotions and services. Families and friends are encouraged to join us for all our celebrations, school Masses and Worship.  

Every classroom in our school contains a focus table which has a candle, a crucifix and a Bible, along with other religious artefacts that reflect the liturgical season or the RE unit the children are currently studying. The colour of the cloths on the focus table reflect the current liturgical season, and helps the children to better understand the passing of the liturgical year. 

Children take part in daily collective worship. Children worship in whole school, key stage or classes. Through collective worship children develop an understanding of the structure and purpose of liturgy, explore the Gospels with reference to aspects of moral and social teachings and are encouraged to reflect and respond. As a school we are committed to including the children in all that we do. The children lead Celebration of the Word, prayers and prayer services and many take an active role in the preparation and delivery of other acts of collective worship which could include hymns, liturgical dance, silence, meditation, litanies and other forms of creative as well as traditional prayer.  

The children will usually have a special ‘going forth’ item to give out, such as a prayer card or token for the adults to take home with them, or a special task for the children to complete in their classes to continue to live out the message of the collective worship. 

We also have Worship Leaders who take a main role in organising and leading worship.  

The Youth Village

We are extremely fortunate to be based just outside of the Emmaus Youth Village.  Every year, our Year 4 children visit for two nights as part of their sacramental preparation and in the summer, our Year 6 children enjoy being part of the Diocesan Youth Festival. 

Praying at Home

Praying together as a family is a lovely experience.  During Advent, Lent, and the month of May, we send home prayer packs so that families can enjoy a few minutes praying for any particular intention you may have. Everything you need is included and allows you to set up a little prayer station overnight. In Key Stage Two, our children’s Homework Planner follows the church’s year, displaying prayers, games and puzzles based on the weekly scripture.