Act of Collective Worship

Information about Bordesley Green Girls School and Sixth Form and the Act of Collective Worship

We are proud of the way our Act of Collective Worship is a part of our inclusive identity as a school. It contributes to :the broad range of arts, drama, music and sports activities we provide.

The law requires that daily collective worship in school should be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character. This is appropriate for most schools across the country. However, the 'determination procedure' allows the requirement to be lifted in respect of all of the pupils in a school where it is inappropriate.

"In making a determination, SACRE(Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education ) has to have regard to any circumstances relating to the faith backgrounds of the pupils which are relevant for deciding what character of collective worship is appropriate." Education Reform Act 1988.

As we are a school with a large percentage of Muslim students, it was decided that the act of worship should reflect this.

There are several different types of determination that Bordesley Green Girls' School and Sixth Form could have considered:

Full Determination: that means the act of collective worship would reflect the faith background of our pupils.
Full Determination for Islamic Worship this means that the act of collective worship would be Islamic
Part Determination: this means having different Act of collective worships for different faiths

Following consultation with staff, parents and governors it was agreed to apply for the Full Determination which would enable the act of worship to be “broadly Islamic”. This is periodically renewed according to the required timeframe..

This is what happens on a daily basis;

The act of collective worship lasts for 5 minutes every day and is broadcast to classrooms via a tannoy system.
Reflective music is played to indicate that the Act of Collective Worship is beginning.
The Head introduces the Act of Worship
A speaker either a member of staff or student delivers a prepared contribution on the theme of the week. The contribution is seen by the Head teacher in advance and can also be projected on classroom boards for students who have hearing problems. These contributions can be poems, prose, news items and reflections on life that link to the theme. It is very much like the “Thought for the day 2 item on Radio 4.
Throughout the year some of the themes also link to the understanding of religious festivals and events such as Christmas, Easter and Diwali.
Once this section is completed, a Muslim member of staff reads an extract from the Quran and then translates it into English. This section is also linked to the theme. For example a reading which mentioned “birds” was linked into our Spring theme when that was our focus for the week.
After reading, the Head asks for a moment for reflection when everyone reflects in silence while music is played.

The whole school determination for a “broadly Islamic” Act of Collective Worship promotes recognition of the faith of the majority of students while, importantly, according recognition to other faiths.

The following features of our Act of Collective Worship indicate our approach to promoting equality and social cohesion:

Our calendar of weekly themes build in key dates from world faiths
Published material includes a commitment of respect for all beliefs
Participants are encouraged to preface personal views with “As a (Buddhist) I believe …and place view in context
A concluding comment which focuses reflection
Monitoring occurs via staff team and governors‘ meeting . Records of All Act of Collective Worship are kept.

Here are comments gathered from our governors about the Act of collective worship when it was about to be renewed in 2013

“The determination has worked well and been praised by inspectors so it makes sense to continue it “

“The predominantly broadly Islamic determination seems to work very well. Parents appear happy that their daughters have an Islamic reading each day and seem to be in favour of the way a similar or contrasting supportive viewpoint is made by other contributors. Staff members (and OFSTED) largely approve of the way that an Islamic reading (reflecting the faith background of most of our students), is alongside a more general thought, from an Islamic, other faith or not faith viewpoint.”

“It is very important to recognise and value the Islamic background of the majority of our students. However, at the same time I believe that we must educate and encourage understanding and respect for the religious beliefs and views of others. A broadly Islamic determination does that. “

You will see the programme and topics for our Act of Worship on our school website in our newsletters.

As head teacher here I am delighted to be part of a process that adds so much to the social, moral, spiritual, cultural and leadership development of our students and staff.

Judith Woodfield

Head teacher

Bordesley Green Girls School