Parkstne Grammar Schl COLLECTIVE WORSHIP AND ASSEMBLIES POLICY Date apprved: 04/07/2017 Apprved by: Curriculum and Student Matters Cmmittee Date f next review: 2019-20 Type f plicy Nn-Statutry
Plicy Dcument COLLECTIVE WORSHIP AND ASSEMBLIES WHAT AREAS ARE COVERED IN THIS POLICY? This plicy utlines the aims and bjectives f cllective wrship and assemblies in the schl. LINKED POLICIES Teaching and Learning Plicy Anti-Bullying Plicy Citizenship Plicy AIMS OF COLLECTIVE WORSHIP & ASSEMBLIES At Parkstne Grammar Schl we believe that the time spent in assemblies/cllective wrship supprts and strengthens what we aim t d in every aspect f schl life. Our caring eths and the value we place n the develpment f the whle persn - spiritually, mrally, scially, culturally and intellectually - are reflected in this time we spend tgether. We value this special time in the schl day fr the space it gives ur students t develp a reflective apprach t life and the ability t express their reflectins in traditinally religius ways r any ther apprpriate manner. The faith backgrund f bth staff and students families is respected at all times. The aims f assemblies are t: Prvide the pprtunity fr students t cnsider spiritual and mral issues and t explre their wn beliefs. Cllective wrship within assemblies plays a central rle within the life f the schl and ffers students the pprtunity t reflect upn thse aspects f human life and the natural wrld, which raise questins f ultimate meaning. T prmte key elements f the Citizenship Curriculum and British Values. Prvide cmmunity chesin, prmte a cmmn eths and shared values and reinfrce psitive attitudes, e.g. by celebrating success f a student, year grup r Huse. Help students becme increasingly aware f themselves as individuals and grups within the schl and wider cmmunity. Prvide time fr persnal thught and reflectin and prvide an rderly start t the schl day. Help students develp respect and sensitivity t the beliefs and values f thers. Acknwledge and celebrate diversity within the schl and the wider cmmunity. Deepen the students sense f wnder abut the wrld arund them. Prvide pprtunities that will enable students t develp their cnfidence when making a presentatin t the year grup r whle schl. RATIFIED BY FGB July 2017 Sheet 2 f 6
Plicy Dcument Supprt the brader curriculum thrugh the use f art, music, drama, dance and ther visual and ral means f cmmunicatin. Cmmunicate imprtant infrmatin t students regarding events and activities taking place. Celebrate the Christian values and wrth f the schl cmmunity and all wh belng t it. Grw in cnfidence when making a presentatin t the grup r Key Stage. SAFEGUARDING Assemblies can cver many sensitive and cntrversial issues. The requirement f all student assemblies t be reviewed by staff ensures that cntent is addressed apprpriately. Assemblies can als be used t raise issues cnnected t safeguarding infrmatin and cmmunicating up t date risks t ensure students are kept safe. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Assemblies allw fr the prmtin f the imprtance f equal pprtunities bth within schl and natinally. The cntent als gives equal representatin t a range f pinins fr students t cnsider, and invlves a range f students thrughut the schl. Staff leading the assemblies will endeavur t make assembly and cllective wrship times accessible t all. Students shuld be equally valued and their beliefs equally respected in line with ur Equal Opprtunities Plicy. DELIVERY Students attend ne main schl assembly and ne Year Grup assembly each week. Students als attend ne Huse assembly each half term. Whilst the verwhelming majrity f students d participate in the religius part f assemblies, thse wh d nt wish t take part are accmmdated during this time. As well as assemblies there is a Thught fr the Week publicised n the plasma screen and in the bulletin and each tutr has a bklet with all the thughts fr the year. GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING MAIN SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES The theme f each assembly shuld be based n the Thught fr the Week unless there is a pre-agreed alternate fcus. A rta exists t indicate wh is taking assembly. This culd be a member f staff, prefects, tutr grups r an interested grup (e.g. Amnesty Internatinal, Christian Unin). When students take assembly, the cntent f the assembly must be checked by the frm tutr and/r Head f Year t ensure suitability. All students and staff wh speak during assembly use micrphnes. ICT equipment is available fr use. RATIFIED BY FGB July 2017 Sheet 3 f 6
Plicy Dcument Each sixth frm tutr grup is allcated a main schl assembly slt and the frm tutr takes respnsibility fr ensuring that tutr grups are prepared and have practised the assembly in advance. Fr Huse assemblies Huse Captains and the Heads f Huse will be asked t wrk tgether, in rtatin, t prduce an assembly fr the rest f their Huse. CONDUCT OF STUDENTS DURING MAIN SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES Main schl students enter the assembly hall in silence accmpanied by their frm tutr. The frm tutr sits with their tutr grup during the assembly. Students shuld maintain silence thrughut the assembly. Heads f Year supervise their wn year grup during assembly t ensure that they sit silently. During a Huse assembly tutrs will be respnsible fr ensuring all students are sat silently. Students leave assembly in silence, when dismissed by their Head f Year. There is a rta fr tutr grups t put the chairs away. All tutrs are expected t attend the assemblies fr the year grup and Huse they are attached t. RIGHTS OF WITHDRAWAL At Parkstne we seek t be an inclusive cmmunity; hwever we d respect the right f parents t withdraw their daughters frm assemblies/cllective wrship n religius grund. This schl expects that withdrawal will nly be made fllwing parental discussin with the Headteacher fllwed by written cnfirmatin f withdrawal. WHAT KEY ACTIONS IS THE SCHOOL TAKING TO ENFORCE THIS POLICY? The Assistant Headteacher respnsible fr assemblies cnstantly mnitrs and appraises the cntent and delivery f assemblies t ensure that it deals with current issues and is relevant t students. WHAT MUST EVERYONE DO TO UPHOLD AND ENFORCE THE POLICY? GOVERNORS Gvernrs shuld agree and apprve the Cllective Wrship & Assemblies Plicy. HEADTEACHER / LG Frmulate the draft Cllective Wrship & Assemblies Plicy. Wrk with students, parents and if necessary, utside agencies t prmte a range f issues and values in assemblies. STAFF Staff shuld set an example in assemblies they cnduct. Staff shuld mnitr the cntent and delivery f assemblies they are respnsible fr. STUDENTS Students shuld prmte apprpriate values in the assemblies they deliver. Shuld cntribute t the assemblies where necessary. HOW DO WE KNOW THIS POLICY IS WORKING AND IS BEING UPHELD? RATIFIED BY FGB July 2017 Sheet 4 f 6
Plicy Dcument The Assistant Headteacher respnsible fr Citizenship cnstantly mnitrs and appraises the curriculum cntent t ensure that key elements are incrprated, and being delivered t students effectively. WHO SHOULD PEOPLE CONTACT IF THEY HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS POLICY OR A SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVEMENT? Assistant Headteacher respnsible fr Assemblies and Cllective Wrship Parkstne Grammar Schl Spers Lane Ple BH17 7EP RATIFIED BY FGB July 2017 Sheet 5 f 6
Plicy Dcument APPENDIX 1 Sme helpful hints when planning yur assembly : What is the theme f yur assembly? Can any links be made t key events, days, anniversaries, etc. that ccur near the time f yur assembly? Ratinalise yur cntent and make sure it flws D yu need any prmpts, visual aids, music, vide clips, etc. t keep student attentin in the fcus? Hw will yu start and end yur assembly? What thughts d yu want students t have in their minds as they leave? Hw will students knw what the key messages are? Presentatin skills : Practise yur presentatin, in the actual venue if pssible Check fr and get feedback n : Pace Prjectin f vice Use f presentatinal aids Nn-verbal indicatrs (bdy language) Try t view the assembly as mre f a dramatic perfrmance if pssible tell yur stry rather than just reading it. Each time yu tell yur stry yu shuld learn mre abut its effectiveness: Which parts wrked better than thers? Which sectins elicited the best respnse? Was this dwn t cntent r delivery? Music/Sng : Music/Sng is a very pwerful means f creating the right atmsphere and can unify and uplift the schl cmmunity yu are trying t reach with yur assembly. Music frm a variety f cultures can be used and shuld be carefully selected t match the theme. RATIFIED BY FGB July 2017 Sheet 6 f 6