The school’s provision for prayer and liturgy fulfil pupils’ entitlement to experience the range of liturgical treasures of the Church, including a shared repertoire of prayers and liturgical music with which pupils in the school will be familiar.
Prayer and liturgy punctuate the day, weeks and months of the school year. Tutor group prayers occur daily and celebration on the word is weekly for each year/house group. Mass is celebrated in school at least once a term, every year group is included throughout the year and focused on different themes matching the liturgical calendar. Lunchtime Rosary during the months of October and May is offered to all pupils. Special liturgical services of reconciliation, Advent and Lent take place during the appropriate season. Common prayers are said within school and varied prayer forms are being developed
All adults, whatever their personal religious affiliation, contribute to the spiritual life of the school. Each can draw on their unique experience and talents to enhance the preparation and celebration of prayer and liturgy. In their classrooms, adults facilitate prayer and liturgy for pupils, teaching them how to participate meaningfully in different forms of these in order to grow in faith. They provide formation for pupils to organise, lead, and evaluate prayer in a variety of contexts.
Staff formation is most effective when prayer is embedded in the ordinary rhythm of school life. Through prayer at CPD sessions, reflective staff briefings, and voluntary Friday morning liturgies led by staff themselves, colleagues are given opportunities to encounter Christ, deepen their understanding of the Church’s mission, and grow in confidence as leaders of prayer. By nurturing a culture where prayer is shared and led by all, we strengthen our sense of community and our collective vocation to serve young people through Catholic education.
