Our R.E. Steering Group supports Religious Education and collective worship at our school. The group is made up of 24 children from Key Stage 2. At the start of each school year, every class votes for two pupils to join the R.E. Steering Group.
Throughout the year, the children meet regularly to share and discuss their ideas. They take an active role in collective worship, helping to light candles and lead invitational prayers. Each term, they plan and lead a collective worship, and they also contribute to special events such as the Harvest celebration, Ash Wednesday service and Easter celebrations.
The group plays an important role in pupil voice. During the year, they monitor collective worship, sometimes carrying out questionnaires with classes to gather feedback. They also meet with school governors and visitors to share their perspectives.
Everyone is welcome to put themselves forward for the R.E. Steering Group. We encourage children of all faiths — and those from non-faith backgrounds — to take part.
Here are some examples of what we have done previously:
- Work on the school Vision and Values
- Gather ideas about what it means to flourish spiritually at S.M.S.P.
- Lead prayers and Bible readings during collective worship
- Plan and lead a termly collective worship
- Take part in special Harvest and Easter celebrations
- Monitor collective worship
- Gather evidence of the impact of special events (e.g., Courageous Advocacy Pause Day)
- Meet with important visitors to our school
- Draw portraits of clergy for our local church display
- Help choose winners for the Spirited Arts Competition
Here are some comments from the group:
- I enjoy R.E. Steering Group because I like working with different year groups and getting to do things in collective worship. I really enjoyed it when I read a prayer for Harvest.
- My favourite part of R.E. Steering Group is reading prayers in collective worship. I like being part of R.E. Steering Group because I like R.E.
- I like being part of R.E. Steering Group because I like having a responsibility. I enjoy taking part in collective worship and I can contribute my ideas.
- I enjoy R.E. Steering Group because I follow God. I enjoy being able to take part in collective worship. The best part of R.E. Steering Group is getting a badge! I liked talking about the Richmond Foodbank in our Harvest collective worship.
- I enjoy being in R.E. Steering Group because it’s fun!
- My favourite part of R.E. Steering Group is working with other year groups. I enjoyed drawing a portrait of Rev. David.
- I like being in R.E. Steering Group because I get to learn more and then share it with the younger children in the school. I also enjoyed speaking in collective worship. This has boosted my confidence.