Worship is one of the most special parts of our school day. It is a time to stop, be still and think about the things that matter most.

It is built on our school vision: "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Our worship is Christian and is a time where we share Bible stories and the teaching of Jesus. It is also a time to celebrate the special moments of the Christian year such as Harvest, Christmas and Easter.

Worship is there to help both children and adults in our school to flourish. We live this out through our school values of Kindness, Respect and Perseverance.

Everyone is welcome to join us in worship, whatever they believe, and children are gently invited to take part in the way that feels right for them. Religious Education is where we learn about many faiths, while our worship is rooted in our Christian faith and the teaching of Jesus.

The Structure of Worship at Richard Coates CE Primary School

Gather. As children come in, the room is calm and quiet, with a thought-provoking image or quote on the screen and a wonder question to think about. We take a moment of stillness and silence to prepare our hearts and minds and to come together as one community.

Engage. This is the heart of our worship. We might hear a Bible story, look at a picture, listen to music, share a real life story or wonder about a big question, always asking, thinking and making links to our own lives.

Respond. Children are given time and space to think about what they have heard, perhaps through silence, a prayer or an "I wonder" question. In class worship they might also draw, write or make a promise.

Send. What happens after worship matters just as much as the worship itself. We are sent back into our day with a challenge to put into practice what we have explored, inspired by the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), when Jesus says, "Now you go and do the same."

Every child is invited to take on the challenge in real life, at school and at home, whether that is a kind word, a helping hand or a gift given quietly. Our kindness notes, gratitude paper chains and Lunchtime Legends award celebrate acts of kindness done when no one is looking.

We close with a shared prayer, often led by our Worship Warriors, with everyone invited to join in the responses. Prayer is always an invitation, so anyone who wishes to make the prayer their own can say "Amen" and anyone who would rather listen quietly is welcome to do so.

Worship Through Our Week

We come together for worship every day, in different ways. Each one follows the same steps of Gather, Engage, Respond and Send, so it always feels familiar.

On Monday the whole school gathers to share the theme for the week. Through the week children join worship with their key stage, worship in their own class and a singing worship. On Friday we come together again as a whole school to celebrate the kindness, respect and perseverance we have noticed.

Every classroom has its own worship area with a Bible, a candle and our school prayer, which helps class worship feel as special as worship in the hall.

Worship Themes Overview

Our worship follows a two-year cycle of themes, including generosity, compassion, courage, forgiveness, friendship, respect, thankfulness, trust, perseverance, justice, service and truthfulness.

Each theme stays with us for a series of weeks and builds across the half-term, giving us time to explore it in depth and linger over it. Class worship follows the same themes as whole school worship, so each one becomes a thread that runs right through our school.

We also link our themes to what is happening in the world around us, from our own community to places far away, so that children can see how worship connects to real life. Along the way we celebrate the children growing into caring, responsible people who make a difference.

Spirituality- Looking In, Looking Out and Looking Up

Spirituality is about the things that make us who we are and help us wonder about life. Life can be very busy, and Jesus often stepped away from the crowds to be quiet and pray. We make time to pause too, and worship is a chance to feel amazed by a picture, a piece of music, a story or a question that has no easy answer.

In worship we use three simple questions to help children think. Looking In asks, "What does this mean for me?" Looking Out asks, "What does this mean for others?" Looking Up asks, "What does this tell me about God?" Christians believe our light comes from God and that we shine it so that others can see God's love. You can read more on our spirituality page.

Our classrooms have prayer and reflection spaces, and a quiet space for prayer is open to any child who would like it.

Everyone has a part to play

Worship at Richard Coates is something children do, not something they just watch. Our Worship Warriors meet each half term to plan worship, suggest themes and think about how it is going. They help to lead worship for others, including our closing prayer.

Other children read prayers and take part in class worship, where they can nominate someone they have noticed showing our school values. Every child has the same challenge to go and do the same.

Church Partnerships

We are fortunate to have close links with two churches in the heart of Ponteland, St Mary's Parish Church and Ponteland Methodist Church. We visit both regularly to take part in services and events.

Visiting clergy from both churches also lead collective worship in school, regularly within each half term.

Ponteland Methodist Church also brings Open the Book to our school. Their team recreate stories from the Bible in dramatic and engaging ways, alongside our children.