Religious Education
We believe that children should have knowledge both of their faith and the faith of others. We should help them to start developing an understanding of the place of religion in our society. Since Bushey Heath Primary School is a County Maintained School, we do not teach the doctrine of a Religion. This, we believe, should be left to parents. At present we use the Hertfordshire Agreed Syllabus and have designed a programme of work to cover the six major world faiths.
The rights of parents under the 1944 Education Act to withdraw children from Assembly and Religious Education are respected, subject to adequate supervisory arrangements being possible.
Collective Act of Worship/Assemblies
In accordance with the law we hold a daily collective Art of Worship/Assembly.
From time-to-time we encourage visitors to join us and also lead us in our assemblies.
Arrangements for the withdrawal of children from R.E. and the School’s collective Art of Worship/Assemblies may be made after consultation with the Headteacher.
Aims of collective worship
Collective worship in Bushey Heath Primary School aims to provide the opportunity for pupils and staff to:
- - experience a variety of styles of worship
- - celebrate together e.g. festivals, school values, individual achievements
- - build a sense of community/foster corporate identity;
- - develop a reflective approach to living which sometimes encourages understanding of and invitation
- - to prayer;
- - look beyond the physical, material and measurable
- - worship God or reflect on human values;
- - consider spiritual and moral issues and to explore their own beliefs;
- - participate and respond, through active involvement in the planning, leading, presentation and
- - evaluation of worship
- - feel safe and affirmed in doing any of the above
Statutory requirements
By law, Collective Worship must
- - take place for every child not withdrawn by their parents (post 16 students can withdraw themselves)
- - every day
- - be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character.
- - take account of the ages, aptitudes and family backgrounds of the pupils
- - take place on the school premises, except on occasions, with agreement of governors
Therefore, at Bushey Heath Primary School our collective worship reflects the broad traditions of Christian belief without being distinctive of any particular Christian denomination. Not every act of collective worship must comply with this; just the majority so we can include material from other religions and non-religious world views.
Suggestions for workship include
- - Prayer
- - Singing / music
- - Story telling
- - Art
- - Visitors
- - Stillness / silence
The Act of Collective Worship
We use a variety of styles, active and interactive methods and a range of resources in our in acts of collective worship. Leaders make decisions about these elements according to what is most appropriate to the content, the ages, aptitudes and the backgrounds of the pupils.
Where prayer is included in our acts of worship it is introduced with a form of words that invites but does not coerce pupils to participate. Our prayers are addressed to ‘God’ rather than Jesus as this is inclusive of the beliefs of our non-Christian religious pupils. We hope that pupils who prefer not to pray will use these moments to reflect on the important messages shared in our worship.
We hold a celebration assembly every Friday. The Staff take it in turns to present certificates and awards to children in each in class to acknowledge and recognise achievement. The children have the opportunity to share their achievements by showing their trophies, awards and certificates to the rest of the school.
During the Thursday assembly the House Cup is presented to the House Captains of the House with the most housepoints. The Houses are:
- - Jupitar
- - Saturn
- - Mars
- - Neptune
Each term, the house with the most points has a reward afternoon. Every child is a member of a House and every housepoint awarded to them contributes to the overall House score.