Prayer Spaces
Prayer Spaces
We believe that our faith is not held in any one particular space but can be expressed throughout the whole school community. A prayer space is an interactive experience which encourages pupils to consider big questions, and reflect on their responses to them. Our Chapel, however, is at the heart of our building and is used by all pupils throughout the year to reflect and pray if they wish to do so.
Services and Collective Worship
As well as daily involvement in Academic Review (Form Time) and weekly involvement with Year assemblies we also have larger assemblies at key points in the Church year. These occasions help to mark and celebrate our Virtues and the liturgical year. It enables opportunity to promote enjoyment and involvement in the spiritual aspects of our school community.
Charitable Focus
There is whole school involvement in promoting charitable works locally, nationally and internationally and pupils engage with meeting representatives from charities and fund raising for them.
What is Prayer?
Prayer is simply us meeting God as we are. It is a journey that is ongoing throughout the whole of our lives. Prayer can be led but can also be a
personal, private thought or reflection that pupils may have on a range of issues in life.
Creating a Space
It often helps to identify a particular space, and a particular time that you will use in which to pray; having a routine helps pupils to focus. The College Chapel is a facility that is also available to be used for reflections and acts of worship.
Being Still
Ask your pupils to sit comfortably and close their eyes and to simply be still. Being still and silent can at times be a really powerful way in which to reflect on ourselves and others.
Use Music
Music plays a part in most people’s lives and can be listened to on various levels, reflecting our thoughts and emotions. Music can also be used in our prayer lives in various ways. It is good to use a range of styles and to be prepared to use ‘secular’ and even popular styles, as well as specifically ‘religious’ music.
Using the News
Keep an eye out for relevant news items which provoke thought and discussion, linking to our Moral Virtues wherever possible. Help pupils to make connections between ideas and our own lives. Prayer should always be rooted in the reality of life.
Praying in Action
God can see as well as hear. Your actions can be a prayer.
Light a candle against the darkness – or blow one out to symbolise acceptance and trust. If you are new to teaching in a Faith School, or if you need any resources or help, please contact our designated Senior Leader in charge of collective worship, (Liz Connolly) who will be able to offer assistance.
Prayer Space Impact Report: April 2022
Prayer Spaces in Schools is a national organisation which encourages churches to work together with schools to provide creative opportunities for prayer. Most of the activities used in the prayer space where based on resources from Prayer Spaces in Schools.
In April 2022, Liz Connolly and Ali Rice (independent advisor) worked together with Jen McIlveen (Chester Diocese) to plan and create the prayer space which was designed to link into the school’s vision and moral virtues. This was hosted in the dance studio at The Ellesmere Port C of E College.
Governors and sixth form pupils worked alongside Liz and Ali to deliver the prayer space to every pupil in Y7, Y8 and Y9 over the course of two days.