At Our Lady of Lourdes, Collective Worship plays a central role in the daily life of our school and reflects our Mission Statement: “We follow in the footsteps of Jesus to love, learn and grow.”

Each day, opportunities for prayer, reflection, scripture and song bring our school community together in faith. These shared experiences help children to develop their relationship with God while encouraging them to follow the example of Jesus in the way they learn, care for others, and live out Gospel values.

Collective Worship helps to create a strong sense of community and belonging within our school. It encourages pupils to show kindness, respect and compassion, and inspires them to make a positive difference in the world around them. Through worship, we aim to nurture confident, thoughtful and caring individuals who carry the values of faith into all aspects of school life.

Please explore the sections below to find out more about Collective Worship at Our Lady of Lourdes.

Daily Prayer

  • Morning prayer, Grace before meals, Grace after meals, Prayers at the end of the day are said daily by the whole school led by Prayer leaders and staff.
  • Stations of the Cross during Lent – whole school.
  • Weekly Rosary led by the GIFT team at lunchtime.
  • Whole school Rosary in the months of October and May.

Liturgy

We have whole school Masses throughout the school year including at the start of the new school year, during Advent and at the end of the school year. Our schools celebrate their Feast days through a special Mass and Holy Days. Class Mass is celebrated in church throughout the year. Masses are celebrated either in school, in Church or online with the whole Parish community. Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated with the Year 3 children in preparation for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.

During Advent, Our Lady of Lourdes and Guardian Angels’ join for an Advent Service in church with Parishioners. During Lent, Our Lady of Lourdes and Guardian Angels’ join for a Lenten Service in church with Parishioners. Stay and Pray sessions are timetabled throughout the year where classes invite their families to join them in prayer and liturgy.

Prayer and Liturgy Policy

Please click here to view our Prayer and Liturgy Policy.

Training and formation

All new staff will be supported during induction and beyond, so that they fully understand the responsibility they carry within their individual role for leading prayer and liturgy in the school. Any individual training needs will be identified and addressed through training and formation. There will also be the opportunity for whole-school professional development at least once a year, so that all staff understand the importance of prayer and liturgy and relevant staff are well supported to lead as required.

Resourcing

Prayer and liturgy are central to the school’s understanding of itself as a Catholic school, and this is reflected in the annual budget allocation and available resources, including staff time, chaplaincy provision, and dedicated spaces for prayer and liturgy. The Catholic character of the school is reflected in religious artefacts and images on display throughout the building, Dedicated spaces for prayer and liturgy will be furnished and maintained as such, and updated to reflect the Church’s liturgical season. Staff training and formation costs will be funded separately to ensure that all staff are able to fulfil their responsibility to contribute to the prayer and liturgical life of the school.

Weekly Structure

Monday

Assembly led by a member of SLT / Gift Team / Class led During Advent and Lent, classes lead prayer and liturgy each week and invite the school community to join them.

Tuesday

Class prayer and liturgy led by different groups of children.

Wednesday

Wednesday Word led by the GIFT Team.

Thursday

Praise Assembly led by the RE / Music lead.

Friday

Celebration Assembly led by a member of SLT Stay and Pray sessions are timetabled throughout the year where classes invite their families to join them in prayer and liturgy.