Church, Community Links and Collective Worship
Our community and local area are really important to us here at Waterhouses CE Primary Academy and Nursery.
Our Collective Worship is a special part of our school day. We gather as a school community to share God’s love through the celebration of our school vision and values. As such, our daily Collective worship is:
- Inclusive – We recognise and celebrate that pupils and staff come from homes of different faith backgrounds as well as no faith backgrounds. In doing so we ensure that our worship is accessible to everyone.
- Invitational – In our worship, our acts of worship are free to join with no obligation to do so. In being so, worship enables all to respectfully engage, including those of different faiths, and those who express to have no religious faith. Pupils and adults are all invited to pray and sing if they wish to do so.
- Inspiring – By asking and discussing big questions, both in worship and at home, about who we are and what we do, we hope to enable all to actively step forward and make a difference. We enjoy opportunities to think, reflect and ponder both our own actions, and those of our community around us.
Collective Worship takes place everyday and this involves both pupil-led worship and adult-led worship. Once a week we hold Collective Worship within our classes. To enrich our worship experience and broaden our learning experience within the community, we have Collective Worship delivered by members from Ashbourne Elim and Baptist Church as well as our local ‘Open the Book’ group from Ashbourne Methodist Church. We have strong links with Waterhouses Methodist Chapel. Rev Julie visits our school regularly to lead worship as well the school holding services at the Chapel. A group bring “Godly Play” once a term to our school.
Our Collective Worship takes many forms and can include Bible readings, parables, quiet reflection, Songs of Praise and prayer time. We also have our celebratory worship on a Friday. This is an integral part of instilling our Christian Values of Love, Trust, Hope and Respect.
