Collective Worship

The school aims to preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England.  Downham Church of England Primary School aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice.  It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.

The 1988 Education Reform Act requires that there be a daily act of collective worship for all pupils, which is of a wholly or mainly broadly Christian character. Collective worship takes place each day.  Pupils are grouped in various ways - as a whole school, in Key Stages and sometimes in year or class groups. 

As a rule, the act of worship usually takes place in the school hall, but on certain occasions it can be held in other locations. 

Parents can exercise the right for their children’s withdrawal from worship on religious grounds.