Prayer and Liturgy Policy

Key Elements of Prayer and Liturgy

Summarised from the Prayer and Liturgy Directory:

The Importance of Ritual
Rituals are special traditions that give meaning to key moments in our school and faith life. They help us celebrate important events, such as welcoming new pupils, preparing for sacraments, and marking the end of the school year. In the Catholic tradition, rituals take on a unique significance because they reflect God’s presence among us, particularly through the Sacraments.

Scripture in Prayer and Worship
Scripture is at the heart of all our prayers and liturgies. Bible readings, prayers, and songs allow us to listen to and respond to God’s word. The Gospel holds a special place in Catholic worship. Pupils are encouraged to engage with scripture in a meaningful way, whether through reading, reflection, or creative responses like music and drama.

The Role of Symbols
Symbols, such as water, light, bread, wine, and oil, play an important role in our prayer and worship. They hold deep meanings and help pupils connect with their faith on a sensory level. In our school, we use symbols thoughtfully, ensuring they are meaningful and relevant rather than just decorative.

Using Our Bodies in Worship
Prayer and worship involve more than just words—they engage our whole selves. Pupils participate through movement, postures, and gestures, such as standing, kneeling, making the sign of the cross, and offering a sign of peace. These actions help them express their faith and become active participants in liturgical celebrations.

The Power of Silence
Silence is a vital part of prayer, allowing time for reflection, listening to God, and deepening spiritual awareness. We encourage pupils to embrace moments of silence in prayer and liturgy, helping them develop their personal relationship with God.

Through these elements, we strive to create meaningful and engaging worship experiences that nurture our pupils’ faith and understanding of Catholic traditions.

Prayer Space

Our School Prayers

At our school, prayer is an important part of daily life, helping our pupils to grow in faith and build a strong connection with God. Each day, children take time to pray in the morning, before meals, and at the end of the school day. These prayers encourage gratitude, reflection, and a sense of God’s presence in their lives.

KS1 Prayers
Our younger pupils use simple and heartfelt prayers that help them to start the day with kindness, give thanks for their meals, and seek God’s protection in the evening. Their prayers focus on showing respect, resilience, and gratitude for their families, friends, and the world around them.

Morning Prayer

Dearest Lord,
Throughout today, Guide my words and work and play.
Help me to show resilience and respect,
And live today with no regret.
Bless my friends and family too
And keep me safe in all I do.
Amen.

Grace before meals 

God is good, God is great and we thank Him for our food,
We’re going to thank him morning, noon and night,
We’re going to thank him because he is out of sight,
Amen (clap, clap), Amen (clap, clap) Amen (clap, clap)

Evening Prayer

God Our Father, we come to say thank You for Your love today.
Thank You for my family and all the friends you give to me.
Guard me in the dark of night.
And in the morning send your light.
Amen.

KS2 Prayers
As children grow, their prayers develop with them. They continue to use the morning and evening prayers but with additional variations for Grace before meals in Years 3-6. These prayers encourage them to reflect on God’s blessings and to seek His guidance in their daily lives.

Morning Prayer

Dearest Lord,
Throughout today, Guide my words and work and play.
Help me to show resilience and respect,
And live today with no regret.
Bless my friends and family too
And keep me safe in all I do.
Amen

Grace before meals 

(Y3 & Y4)
Bless us, O God as we sit together.
Bless the food we eat today.
Bless the hands that made the food.
Bless us, O God.
Amen.

(Y5 & Y6)
Father of us all,
This meal is a sign of Your love for us.
Bless us and bless our food
And help us to give You glory each day,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Evening Prayer

Oh Angel of God My guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here.
Ever this night, be at my side
To light and guard
To rule and guide.
Amen.

We invite parents to support their children by saying these prayers together at home whenever possible.

In addition to our school prayers, children also learn other significant Catholic prayers, such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Act of Contrition, and the Apostles’ Creed, helping them to develop a deeper understanding of their faith and participate fully in liturgical celebrations.

Links with the Parish

More information coming soon

Links with Parents

We believe that faith is nurtured both at school and at home, so we actively encourage parental involvement in our Religious Education. Each week, we send out the Wednesday Word, a resource that helps families reflect on the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel together.

Our RE home learning is designed to be engaging for the whole family, providing opportunities for meaningful discussions, shared activities, and reflection on faith in everyday life. By working together, we help children grow in their understanding of Christianity and strengthen their spiritual journey.

Prayer Garden

We are proud to offer special prayer spaces where children can take time to reflect, pray, and feel close to God in a peaceful environment.

In the KS1 playground, our Prayer Garden provides a quiet space with reflective benches, allowing children to pause, be still, and engage in moments of reverence outdoors.

We also have Mary’s Prayer Corner, a dedicated space where children can feel closer to Mary, seek comfort, and offer their prayers.

These spaces help nurture our pupils’ spiritual well-being and encourage quiet reflection as part of their daily school life. Photos coming soon!

Liturgical Year

Our school weeks are closely linked to the Liturgical Year, helping children deepen their understanding of key seasons and celebrations in the Church calendar. This ensures that our prayers, reflections, and assemblies align with important moments in the Christian faith.

Parents can view how this is planned through our Celebration of the Word rotas, which outline the themes and focus of each week’s worship.