COLLECTIVE WORSHIP IN LEICESTER SCHOOLS: STATEMENT FROM SACRE

The Leicester City SACRE and Leicester City RE Consultant recognise that part of their role is to provide guidance and support for schools of effective provision for Collective Worship and support for determinations following the requirements set out in 1944 (and amended in 1988). Daily collective worship is a duty on schools and our council’s view would always be to meet the legal requirements.

The requirements for collective worship as a school activity are both different and distinct from the requirements regarding RE in the curriculum.

The Leicester SACRE is aware that the requirements for collective worship are not now being followed in all our schools, especially secondary schools, for a variety of reasons, including lack of suitable spaces and/or leaders for collective worship. Many of our secondary schools hold weekly collective worship and on the other days have a “Thought for the Day” with an opportunity for short, quiet time of reflection. This has been reported regularly by Ofsted over the years. However, this does not mean that schools have not provided opportunities for the spiritual and moral development of young people, many good examples of which Ofsted have also reported in the past year:

“Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. Pupils make excellent contributions to the school and wider community, for example taking responsibility for helping teachers to identify in assemblies those pupils who demonstrate good listening skills.” (Abbey Primary school)

At Sparkenhoe Junior school the effective development of spirituality was commended:

“There is a suitably strong emphasis on developing pupils’ personal, social, emotional and moral development which results in Year 6 pupils being thoughtful, mature and responsible young people whose spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding is excellent.”

Judgemeadow Community College was praised to the excellent spiritual development which was integrated into every subject:

“Students; spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. There are very good opportunities for students to develop their creativity, celebrate their cultural heritage and broaden their cultural experience through contact with artists, musicians and writers.”

The SACRE has only one statutory duty with regard to collective worship. It is to grant a determination to a community school where it is felt collective worship of “a broadly Christian character” is not appropriate for all or some pupils. The application comes from the head teacher after proper consultation with staff, governors and parents. It must be accompanied by alternative plans for collective worship. Currently 21 primary schools and 4 secondary schools hold determinations in Leicester City.

Leicester City determinations: Primary schools

• Abbey Primary School
• Bridge Junior
• Charnwood Primary School
• Catherine Infant
• Coleman Primary School
• Evington Valley Primary School
• Green Lane Infants
• Herrick Primary School
• Highfields primary School
• King Richard III Infant School
• Linden Primary School
• Mayflower primary School
• Medway Primary School
• Rusheymead Primary School
• Sandfield Primary School
• Shenton Primary School
• Sparkenhoe Primary School
• Spinney Hill Primary School
• Uplands Infants
• Uplands Junior School
• Wyvern Primary School

Leicester City determinations: Secondary schools

• Crown Hills Community College
• Judgemeadow community College
• Rusheymead School
• Moat Community College