Church of England schools are established primarily for the communities in which they are located. We are an inclusive school and serve equally those who are of the Christian faith, those of other faiths and those with no faith. We respect the beliefs of others and expect the same for Christian teachings and our school ethos. We want all our children to have learnt new skills, to have developed their talents and with this a love of learning making them confident, articulate, sensitive, tolerant and caring citizens for the future. Our Christian belief is that the God-given talents of all children should be encouraged and developed, recognising and valuing their unique worth. Above all, we believe in the potential of each child to succeed, recognising that Jesus cared equally for all people, regardless of race, gender or social background.
Collective Worship at Rosherville Church of England Academy
Collective Worship is central to our daily school life and a key expression of our Christian vision:
We could have Faith in God, Faith in ourselves or Faith in others.
Worships are inspired by the teachings of Jesus, particularly the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:32), reflecting our belief that even the smallest seed of faith can grow into something truly transformational.
Purpose of Worship
Worship at Rosherville provides a space for stillness, reflection, and prayer. It invites all members of our school community to explore spiritual and moral questions, celebrate our shared values, and reflect on how faith shapes our daily lives. Through storytelling, scripture, song, silence, and prayer, we help pupils develop spiritually and live out our Christian values of compassion, wisdom, and courage. Some Christians believe that lighting the candle in worship symbolises God’s presence and His guiding light in their lives. At the beginning of each worship, we light a candle and invite all those present to listen to the prayer, taking a moment to reflect and be calm.
In addition to Christian festivals, we also recognise and celebrate festivals from a range of world faiths. This broadens pupils’ understanding of the diverse world they live in and encourages appreciation and respect for others’ beliefs. All acts of worship are carefully planned and are appropriate for the age and background of our pupils, reflecting the diversity and makeup of our school community.
Inclusive and Invitational
Our Collective Worship is distinctly Christian but fully inclusive. Children of all faiths and none are invited to participate in a way that is meaningful to them. Our approach is one of openness and respect, fostering a community of curiosity, tolerance, and shared growth.
Whole School and Class Worship
Whole school worship provides a shared experience that unites the school community, reinforcing key themes and values. Class worship offers a more intimate setting where pupils can engage more deeply with themes in an age-appropriate context, encouraging greater interaction, reflection, and discussion. Both forms of worship play a vital role in nurturing the spiritual development of our pupils and expressing our collective ethos.
Pupil-Led Celebration Worship
Pupils at Rosherville take an active role in leading celebration worship, particularly during weekly assemblies that recognise achievements and special events. This experience builds confidence, encourages leadership, and deepens pupils’ understanding of the values we uphold. By presenting and reflecting as part of worship, pupils develop a sense of ownership over their spiritual journey and contribute meaningfully to the life of the school. Their involvement also inspires their peers and fosters a strong sense of community, pride, and shared purpose.
| Day of the Week | Collective Worship |
|---|---|
| Monday | Whole school worship (Mrs Martin) |
| Tuesday | Whole school worship (Rev. G MacBean) |
| Wednesday | Worship (Teachers) |
| Thursday | Class Worship |
| Friday | Celebration Worship (Led by Year 6) |
Special Visitors
At Rosherville, we are proud to welcome a range of special visitors who enrich our collective worship and help to deepen our understanding of faith, values, and community.
We also welcome local clergy from our parish church and the wider diocese, including Father Gordon who lead worship, offer blessings at key times of the year, and support our celebration of the Christian calendar. Their presence helps us maintain strong links with the local faith community and encourages children to see the church as a welcoming and supportive part of their lives.
Throughout the year, other visitors—including Christian youth workers, charity representatives, and faith leaders from different denominations—are invited to lead worship. They help us explore important themes such as compassion, justice, and stewardship from a variety of perspectives.
As Headteacher, I believe it is vital that our collective worship is rich, varied, and inclusive, helping every child to reflect, grow and flourish. Special visitors bring fresh voices, real-life experiences, and different ways of engaging with faith, which complement our school’s vision and values. Their contributions deepen our children’s understanding of the Christian faith while encouraging curiosity, respect, and empathy.
We are part of the Diocese of Rochester and you can link to the Diocese of Rochester website by clicking here
Religious Education
Religious Education (RE) at Rosherville Primary Academy is a statutory subject and is recognised as essential to the development of the whole child. It is delivered in full recognition of the school’s biblically rooted Christian vision, supporting pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, and preparing them to live well with others.
Our RE provision aligns with the Church of England’s Statement of Entitlement (2019), which affirms the importance of high-quality, rigorous RE in all church schools. At Rosherville, RE is taught in accordance with both the Kent Agreed Syllabus and the Understanding Christianity resource.
The Kent Agreed Syllabus provides a balanced and inclusive framework for exploring a range of religious and non-religious worldviews, encouraging critical thinking, empathy, and respect.
Understanding Christianity supports pupils in developing a deep and coherent understanding of Christian beliefs and practices, rooted in biblical texts and theological concepts.
Together, these approaches enable pupils to explore ultimate questions about life, faith, and meaning, and to develop religious literacy. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs and values, and to appreciate those of others. RE at Rosherville helps children understand the significance of religion and belief in both their local community and the wider world, equipping them to engage positively and respectfully in a diverse society.
See our Religious Education page for more information.
Our Church
Rosherville Church of England Primary Academy enjoys close links with St. Mark’s Church. We hold a range of services at the church for Harvest, Christmas, Easter and at the end of the school year for our Leavers; together with family services for each class. Parents are welcome to attend these services. There are also other opportunities for individual classes to visit the church as part of our RE curriculum.
For more information regarding St Mark’s Church please visit their website: https://www.stbotolphnorthfleet.org.uk/
Our School Prayer
Our school prayer was created in collaboration with staff, governors, and children, drawing inspiration from our Christian vision and the values we uphold as a school community. Rooted in the parable of the mustard seed, the prayer reflects our belief in nurturing every child’s potential to flourish in a spirit of fellowship and faith.
The prayer is a shared expression of our school’s ethos — Flourishing through Fellowship to Aspire, Believe and Achieve. It brings together our Christian values of Compassion, Courage and Wisdom and reminds us that we grow stronger through unity, kindness and hope. It is said regularly during collective worship, at the end of whole-school gatherings, and in classroom worship. It is also used at special events and services, providing a familiar and comforting way for our children and staff to come together in faith and reflection. It serves as a daily anchor, fostering a sense of belonging, purpose and spiritual reflection across our diverse school community.
This is our school,
let peace dwell here.
Let the rooms be full of contentment,
let love abide here.
Love one another,
love of life itself
and the love of God.
Let us remember,
that as many hands build a house,
so many hearts make a school.
Amen.