Collective Worship Legal Framework Terminology

Legal Framework Education Reform Act 1988 Education Act 1996 School Standard Framework Act 1998

Legal Framework Daily act of worship for all pupils Any time of school day Single act of worship for all pupils OR Separate act of worship in different school groups

Responsibility In Voluntary Aided Schools: GOVERNORS In consultation with the HEADTEACHER To ensure Legal Requirements are met Delegated to Co-ordinator for CW

Collective Worship is central to the life of a Catholic school Parents have a right to withdraw their children from Collective Worship Planned & spontaneous acts of worship take place in a variety of contexts i.e. during lessons

Catholic Life of the School Collective Worship in a Catholic school shall be consistent with the rites & practices of the Catholic Church The Catholic character of the school should be reflected in Collective Acts of Worship

CW & School Inspections There are TWO Inspections of Voluntary Aided Catholic Schools: S5 (OFSTED) & S48 (Diocese of Leeds) S5 is required to report on whether the Catholic school is fulfilling its legal requirements The content (QUALITY) of CW is inspected by S48

Is CW Curriculum RE? The Act of Worship must be distinctive and be able to be identified as such The Act of Worship is not designated curriculum time

Where must CW take place? As a rule, acts of worship will take place on the school premises In a Catholic school, an Act of Worship can be held elsewhere e.g. a church

Terminology “Collective Worship” is a legal phrase from the Education Acts “PRAYER” & “LITURGY” are terms more familiar to Catholics

Prayer What is it? What does it consist of? What are the forms of prayer?

Liturgy What is it? How does it differ from prayer? Is all liturgy a form of worship? Is all worship a form of liturgy?

Assembly Assembly is a “COLLECTIVE” but it is not “WORSHIP” Assembly is a time of gathering for …???

Principles