Collective Worship & Religious Education

Collective Worship at St Paul’s

Collective Worship is at the heart of daily life at St Paul’s. It provides space for our whole school community to gather, reflect, and be inspired by our Christian vision: “Learning in God’s Love.”

• Frequency & Structure – Worship takes place daily. It follows the rhythm of the church year, rooted in biblical teaching and reflecting our values of Courage, Compassion, and Community.

• Leadership – Worship is led by staff, clergy, pupils, and visitors. Our vicar, Rev Claire Holt, leads weekly worship and supports us in deepening our understanding of faith. Children regularly plan and lead worship themselves, sharing readings, prayers, drama, and music.

• Themes – Worship explores our values, celebrates festivals such as Harvest, Christmas, and Easter, and connects faith to everyday life.

• Reflection & Prayer – We build in opportunities for quiet reflection and prayer, enabling children to develop their own spirituality and sense of belonging.

• Impact – Worship helps our children grow in faith, character, and confidence. It strengthens our school community and encourages pupils to live out St Paul’s call to “stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

Religious Education at St Paul’s

RE is a central part of our curriculum and contributes to the spiritual, moral, cultural, and intellectual development of all pupils.

• Our Syllabus – We follow the Guildford Diocese RE syllabus, which ensures that our teaching is theologically rich, broad, and engaging.

• Entitlement – Our RE curriculum fully meets the Church of England’s Statement of Entitlement. At least 5% of curriculum time is dedicated to RE, with Christianity at its core. Pupils also study other world faiths and worldviews, fostering respect, tolerance, and understanding.

• Intent – RE enables pupils to:

  • Develop a deep understanding of Christianity as a living faith.

  • Engage with biblical texts and Christian beliefs in a thoughtful way.

  • Learn about, and from, other faiths to build dignity, respect, and inclusivity.

  • Reflect on their own beliefs, values, and experiences.

• Implementation – Lessons are engaging, creative, and inclusive. They encourage questioning, discussion, and critical thinking, helping children develop religious literacy and a strong moral compass.

• Impact – Children leave St Paul’s with knowledge of the Christian faith, an appreciation of diversity, and the skills to live well together in our multicultural world.

Links with St Paul’s Church

Our connection with St Paul’s Church, Tongham, is central to our school identity. We visit regularly for worship and celebrations, including Harvest, Christmas, and Easter, as well as for learning experiences linked to RE. These strong parish links enrich our curriculum and strengthen our sense of belonging to the wider Christian community.