Prayer, worship and reflection are central aspects of life at St Edward’s and each day there are opportunities for students to experience and engage in them; whether as a tutor group or a year team.
Each term we gather as a whole school in order to join together in prayer. Worship often reflects the liturgical year and key festivals are marked with services. Special occasions are also marked in this way, for example the Year 13 Leavers’ Liturgy.
Parents and Carers are also invited to attend many of these events and have an important part to play in encouraging and helping the young person to maintain contact with his or her parish.
On holy days of obligation, Roman Catholic children are encouraged to attend Mass, with their family, in their own parish church. Each week there is a eucharist service in school and this alternates between a Roman Catholic Mass and a Church of England service of Holy Communion.
Acts of worship are carefully planned with quality time for prayer and reflection. Students are encouraged to participate and many are involved in leading times of reflection in their own tutor time. A student chaplaincy team help with the planning, delivery and evaluation of collective worship and help to ensure this remains both relevant and engaging.
Collective Worship Policy and Schedule
Our worship revolves principally around the Liturgical Calendar, reflecting events shared by, and distinctive to, the two main traditions of our school.
We also aim to ensure that our students reflect on other key events and themes of national and international significance throughout the year. At the end of every half term we celebrate the successes of students in growing in Christian virtue. Themes such as antibullying, and the environment; are woven into collective worship throughout the year.
Students gather as a year group once a week, and otherwise daily as a tutor group. We gather as a school to mark key Christian seasons and events throughout the year. Collective worship is led by a range of people from students and form tutors to members of the senior leadership team; and occasionally visiting ministers.