Saint Edmund's Catholic Primary School

Prayer and liturgy are central to the Catholic life of school at Saint Edmund's, in order to help our children experience the presence of God and develop a spiritual life. Our Prayer and Liturgy Policy outlines our approach to Prayer and Liturgy across school. Children and staff meet daily for prayer and liturgy, either as a whole school, small group or class. We are currently working to implement the requirements of the Prayer and Liturgy Directory (To love you more dearly). Formal prayers are said at the start and end of each day and children are always welcome to engage in individual, spontaneous prayer whenever they would like to. 

The school gathers together at least three times each week for Collective Worship linked to the liturgical season, Sunday’s Gospel, or other religious, PSHE (Personal Social Health and Economic Education) or social justice themes. A variety of staff, clergy and groups of children lead Prayer & Liturgy. These follow a format which is familiar to the children with music, scripture, hymns, prayer and the lighting of a candle. We meet as a whole school community every Friday to celebrate our school Vision & Mission in our 'Celebration of our Mission' worship in which 'real life' examples of how our school values have been ‘lived’ are shared and children are reminded of the Gospel teachings that are the basis of our school values. Children who have ‘lived’ our school values are acknowledged and celebrated during this celebration.

We endeavour to celebrate Mass on every Holy Day of Obligation. As a school, we have Mass with Father Vincent at least once a term. Different groups of children are invited to read during Mass and the local community and Congregation from our local Parishes often attend.