Pupil Leadership in Worship
At Ireleth St Peter’s, we believe that children should be active participants in the worshipping life of our school.
Our Worship Council gives pupils a meaningful voice in shaping, leading and reflecting upon Collective Worship. Supported by our RE Lead, staff and our church community, Worship Council helps ensure that worship remains inclusive, invitational and inspiring for everyone at ISP.
The children are encouraged to take genuine ownership of their roles as worship leaders and to consider how our Christian vision and values can be lived out within our school and wider community.
What Does Our Worship Council Do?
Our Worship Council plays an active role in the faith life of ISP. Their responsibilities include:
welcoming our school community to worship with “Peace be with you”;
helping to prepare our worship space and creating an atmosphere for reflection;
lighting the candle and explaining its significance;
reading and exploring Bible passages;
leading prayers and the Lord’s Prayer;
helping to lead hymns and songs;
contributing ideas for Collective Worship;
supporting worship in St Peter’s Church;
welcoming and working alongside Father Tom and members of our church community;
gathering pupil voice about Collective Worship;
helping to evaluate worship and consider its impact;
supporting prayer and reflection across school;
contributing to Family Group activities and special faith events;
considering how our Christian values can inspire us to help others and seek positive change.
Pupil Voice
The views of our children matter.
Worship Council provides an important opportunity for pupils to talk about their experiences of worship and spirituality. Members gather the thoughts and ideas of other children and share these with staff so that pupil voice can help shape the future of Collective Worship at ISP.
Children are encouraged to think about questions such as:
What helps us to reflect?
When do we feel close to God?
Which stories, prayers or songs have made us think?
How does worship influence the choices we make?
How can we put our Christian values into action?
This helps us to understand not only what we do, but the impact worship has on our children and our school community.
Leading Worship
Our Worship Council is increasingly confident in taking an active role in worship.
Children help to open and close Collective Worship, lead prayers, share scripture and support adults in creating meaningful opportunities for reflection.
Worship Council members understand that leading worship is much more than completing a job. It is about helping others to feel welcomed, creating moments of stillness and reflection, and giving everyone the opportunity to explore faith and spirituality in their own way.
School and Church Together
Our close relationship with St Peter’s Church is an important part of life at ISP.
Worship Council members support our regular visits to church and have opportunities to contribute to services through welcoming, prayer, readings and other leadership roles.
We also enjoy welcoming Father Tom into school for Collective Worship and other special occasions. These experiences help our children understand that they are part of a wider Christian community beyond the school building.
Faith in Action
Our Christian values encourage us to look beyond ourselves.
Worship Council helps our school community consider how our faith can inspire action — showing compassion, standing up for what is right, caring for creation and supporting people within our local and wider community.
Through these opportunities, our pupils learn that their voices and actions can make a difference.
Our Worship Council 2026–2027
Our Worship Council represents the pupil voice of ISP and works throughout the year to develop Collective Worship, prayer and the spiritual life of our school.
We are incredibly proud of our children for showing the confidence and courage to lead others and for helping our whole school family to grow together.
