As a Church of England school, we follow the Liturgical Calendar and celebrate the major Christian festivals throughout the year. We believe that worship and faith exploration are enriched when our entire school community participates.

Inclusive Participation

All children and families are warmly invited to share how they celebrate their own religious festivals and traditions during our Collective Worship times. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Diwali, Eid, Hanukkah, or other meaningful occasions, your contributions help create a richer understanding of our diverse community.

Through this inclusive approach, we aim to:

• Foster mutual understanding between different faith traditions
• Celebrate both our differences and commonalities as human beings
• Build respect for the beliefs and practices that are meaningful to each family
• Create an environment where every child feels valued and represented

We believe that learning about different ways of worship and celebration strengthens our school community and prepares our children to be thoughtful, respectful citizens in our diverse world.

Daily Collective Worship

We hold daily acts of Collective Worship that are deeply rooted in our Christian values and inspired by Jesus' teaching about being "a city on a hill" that shines its light in the world (Matthew 5:14-16). Through these daily gatherings, we encourage our school community to be a beacon of hope, kindness, and faith in our local area and beyond.

Weekly Worship Pattern

Our Collective Worship follows a structured weekly pattern designed to serve different groups within our school community:

Monday – Whole School Collective Worship

Led by the Head Teacher

Starting the week together with shared vision, values, and inspiration for the days ahead.

Tuesday – Singing or music Collective Worship

Led by the Deputy Head or Music Lead

Congregational singing creates a shared emotional and spiritual experience.

Wednesday – Key Stage Focussed Worship

Age-appropriate worship that speaks directly to children's developmental needs and understanding

Thursday – Whole School Collective Worship

Led by Rev. Anthony Howells from The Church on Fairford Leys

Strengthening our community links through worship led by our local church partner.

Friday – Whole School Celebration Collective Worship

Led by the Headteacher or a member of SLT.

Celebrating achievements, reflecting on the week's learning, and preparing hearts and minds for the weekend.

This daily rhythm of worship creates opportunities for spiritual reflection, community building, and the nurturing of our Christian values throughout each school week. Every act of worship is an invitation for our school community to shine brightly as a beacon of faith, hope, and love in our world.

Church Visits and Community Connections

Throughout the academic year, every class has the opportunity to visit local churches as part of their Religious Education studies or to participate in special worship services. These visits provide children with hands-on learning experiences and strengthen our connections with the wider community.

Our Partner Churches

We are fortunate to work closely with several local churches:

The Church on Fairford Leys serves as our primary partner, offering the convenience of being within easy walking distance of our school. This proximity allows for regular visits and strengthens our ongoing relationship with the congregation.

We also maintain meaningful partnerships with:

• St Mary's Church, Aylesbury – our namesake church, creating a special historical and spiritual connection.
• Granville Street Church – expanding our understanding of different worship traditions within the Christian faith

Annual Service Calendar

Our children participate in a rich programme of seasonal and commemorative services throughout the year:

• Harvest Festival – Celebrating God's provision and our responsibility to care for others
• Remembrance Service – Honouring those who served and reflecting on peace and sacrifice
• Christmas Carol Service – Sharing the joy of Christ's birth through traditional carols and readings
• Christingle Service – Exploring the symbolism of light, love, and Jesus as the light of the world
• Easter Service – Celebrating the resurrection and new life
• Leavers' Service – Marking the transition of Year 6 pupils as they move to secondary school

These services provide meaningful opportunities for worship, reflection, and community celebration while enriching our children's spiritual and cultural understanding.