On
a practical level those wishing to offer collective worship for this
project should ensure that as far a possible they have ensured it to be:
§ Religious - broadly Christian and non denominational
§ An Act of Worship (which is more than an assembly)
§ Original (aware of copyright issues)
§ Coherent i.e. show links between the introduction, development and conclusion.
An acceptable collective worship should do some or all of the following:
§ Have a clear message/focus
§ Stimulate pupils to think/meditate/reflect/to see everyday things in a new way
§ Introduce pupils to things otherwise beyond their experience
§ Inform the emotions and five senses as well as the mind
§ Contain some sort of prayer (more than words)/meditation/space for silence
§ Provide a strong Welsh dimension
§ Be suitable for use in both Welsh and English (e.g. offer poetry/readings/hymns in both languages).
An acceptable collective worship should ideally contain the following elements:
§ Music and sometimes silence to create atmosphere
§ Audio/visual focus/stimulus (OHP, video or computer)
§ A script for teachers/ pupils to read
§ Ideas on how the worship can be personalized by the school
§ Opportunities for pupils to share their enthusiasms, talents and beliefs.
If stories are to be used:
§ the message behind the story needs to be clear (i.e. one shouldn’t use a Bible story for the sake of it)
§ they shouldn’t conflict with broad Christian principles (e.g. if secular or stories from world religions are used).
An acceptable act of collective worship should not merely be:
§ A reinforcement of moral teaching in school (hymn, prayer and telling off)
§ An RE lesson or religious sermon.