“The principal aim for religious education in Gloucestershire is
for pupils to understand how worldviews influence people’s
lives, including their own, through the study of religious and
non-religious worldviews, so that they better understand
themselves and the world around them, and become better
equipped to contribute to and flourish in society.”
Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus for RE 2025-2030
Religious Education Rationale
At our school, Religious Education plays a vital role in developing pupils’ understanding of the world, their place within it, and the beliefs and values that shape people’s lives. As a Church of England school, our RE curriculum is rooted in Christianity while also being fully inclusive, ensuring that pupils learn about and respect a wide range of religions and worldviews.
Following the Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus, our curriculum enables pupils to explore key beliefs, practices, and ways of life within Christianity and other major world religions, alongside non-religious perspectives such as Humanism. Through this, children develop an appreciation of diversity, encouraging respect, empathy, and open-mindedness.
In our small, nurturing school community, we value the importance of every child feeling heard and respected. RE provides opportunities for thoughtful discussion, questioning, and reflection, allowing pupils to explore big ideas about meaning, identity, belonging, and values in a safe and supportive environment.
We aim for pupils to not only gain knowledge about religions and beliefs but also to develop their own values, sense of identity, and understanding of others. Through enquiry-based learning, pupils are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and consider different perspectives.
Collective Worship
Collective worship is central to the life of school and is the main platform for exploring the school’s vision and associated values. It is well planned and of high quality, enabling spiritual flourishing for pupils and adults. It will be invitational, inspirational and inclusive. In this way the whole school community is engaged on a journey of discovery, exploring the teachings of Jesus and the Bible.
Through Collective Worship pupils will be offered a space and a place for the telling of the Christian story. They will be offered an understanding of worship through being invited to participate in or observe prayer, reading and reflection on the Bible, liturgy, sacrament and experience of the musical and other imaginative riches of Christianity. Opportunities to reflect on the beauty, joy and pain of the world will be given. Pupils will be given time to consider their responsibilities to others and to grow in love and service. Time will be given for celebration, both for the accomplishments of school members and to mark the seasonal festivals of the Christian (and other faiths) calendar. Pupils will be offered time to be able to contemplate and develop spiritually. Collective Worship in our school is invitational, inspirational and inclusive.
Aims and Guiding Principles
This school follows the guiding principles highlighted in the document: Collective Worship in Church of England Schools Inclusive Invitational Inspiring Guidance Document, May 2021.
Collective worship in St Paul’s aims to:
- have a pivotal place in the life of the school
- support pupils and adults to flourish spiritually
- be the central vehicle by which the school’s vision and associated values are unpacked and explored so that the whole school community is challenged and engaged with the teachings of Jesus and the Bible
- provide an experience of worship that will offer opportunities for those present to observe and/or respond to the presence, power and peace of God as understood by Christians. This will always be invitational, offering an opportunity to take part whilst allowing the freedom for those of other faiths and none to be present with integrity.
- support pupils in the development of their understanding of the Trinitarian nature of God in Christian belief
- provide a variety of different opportunities for reflection, understanding of diverse liturgical traditions, participation, challenge and enjoyment where all present can be actively involved and develop their own spirituality whilst contributing to the communal journey
- help children to become familiar with Christian language and symbolism and the cycle of the Church year so that they are offered a pattern of meanings and a framework into which they can begin to integrate experience
- ensure that materials and themes for worship are carefully selected to make sure pupils understand the work of Christians and the church locally, nationally and globally and how this reflects the teachings of the Bible and the example of Jesus.
What does Collective Worship look like?
Through daily collective worship events through whole school assemblies, celebration assemblies, singing and class worship, we:
Foster Community: Bring the whole school or specific year groups together to build a shared ethos.
Encourage Reflection: Give pupils a quiet space to think about inner feelings, meaning, and purpose.
Explore Values: Teach core universal principles such as respect, compassion, and responsibility.
Consider Beliefs: Allow pupils to explore their own beliefs and develop an understanding of different religions and worldviews.
To view our Collective Worship Policy, click here.
