Our Collective Worship Policy strengthens and supports the Christian ethos of our school, explores our vision and the associated values we derive from them: Respect, Enjoyment, Aspiration, Co-operation and Honesty. Our Worship reflects the variety of traditions found in the Church of England and will recognise and follow the Christian liturgical year.

Worship at Ingatestone and Fryerning C of E Junior School is not simply a statutory duty. The daily Christian act of collective Worship is the heartbeat of our school, central to our ethos and is supported by all staff and governors. It makes an important contribution to the overall spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the whole school community.

Collective worship is a unique part of the life of Ingatestone and Fryerning C of E Junior School. It provides an opportunity for members of the school to pause from activity, to gather together, to remind themselves of and reflect upon beliefs and values which bind our school together. It allows those with a religious commitment the possibility of entering into worship and those with no religious commitment to sense what worship is and reflect deeply. In this way we strive to meet the needs of all our school community.

The aims and purpose of Collective Worship as defined by the Education Reform Act 1988 are as follows:
• To provide an opportunity for the children to Worship God.

• To enable children to consider spiritual and moral issues.
• To enable children to explore their own beliefs.
• To encourage participation and response.
• To develop in children a sense of community spirit.
• To promote a common ethos with shared values and to reinforce positive attitudes.

In collective worship we:
• Provide an opportunity for members of the school to stop activity, to pause and reflect on important issues
• Foster a sense of fellowship and belonging
• Foster a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty, mystery and power of the natural world
• Build up a sense of group identity and concern for the needs of each other
• Experience being still and silent
• Provide an opportunity to celebrate times of joy and success
• Provide an opportunity to meet at times of sadness or sorrow
• Provide an opportunity to mark significant points in the year, such as festivals and school events