Faith and Worship

Collective Worship is at the heart of our school’s spiritual life, shaping our identity as a Church of England community. Led by our School Chaplain, Revd Lex, and supported by staff, visiting clergy and pupils, our worship follows the Christian year and reflects Anglican traditions through a balance of stillness, celebration, Scripture, music and reflection.

In line with national expectations for Church of England schools, our worship is invitational, inspirational and inclusive:

• Invitational: Everyone is warmly invited to engage in worship in their own way, with opportunities to participate, question, wonder and reflect
• Inspirational: Worship seeks to encourage a sense of awe, joy and curiosity, enabling pupils to explore big questions and consider their own beliefs and values
• Inclusive: Worship is accessible to all, recognising and respecting the diverse backgrounds and experiences within our school community

Our Aims

Through our pattern of Collective Worship, we seek to:

• Offer pupils the opportunity to experience Christian worship and explore faith
• Build a sense of community rooted in shared values and the teachings of Jesus
• Provide space for reflection, prayer and spiritual growth
• Celebrate the gifts, achievements and uniqueness of every child
• Foster thankfulness, compassion and responsibility for ourselves, one another and God’s world

Our Worship Pattern

Daily worship takes place in year groups, forms or Houses. Each act of worship is carefully planned to include:

• A gathering moment that creates a sense of togetherness
• A weekly theme rooted in the school’s Christian values, Scripture or the liturgical calendar
• Pupil-led contributions, creative responses and opportunities for prayer
• A sending message that encourages pupils to live out what they have reflected on

In addition, our community joins together for weekly main school services where we hear Scripture, sing hymns or enjoy music and reflect on Christian teaching.

Special services held at Peterborough Cathedral mark key events in the Christian calendar and school life, encouraging gratitude, celebration and a shared sense of purpose.

Music is central to worship at King’s. Hymn singing, led by the Senior Choir, and musical performances provide moments of shared joy and spiritual connection that strengthen our school identity. Initiatives such as the Illuminate tour for young people and annual visits from Good News for Everyone further deepen engagement, challenging pupils to think about their relationships with God and others.

Withdrawal

As a Church of England school, Collective Worship is an important part of our shared life and helps to shape the spiritual, moral and cultural development of our pupils. We warmly encourage all pupils to take part, recognising that worship at King’s is invitational, inspirational and inclusive and is designed to be accessible and meaningful for pupils of all faith backgrounds and none.

However, parents do have the legal right to withdraw their child from Collective Worship should they wish to do so. Any parent considering withdrawal is invited to discuss the matter with us so that we can understand their concerns, explain our approach, and explore how we can best support their child.

Our close relationship with Peterborough Cathedral is one of the most distinctive features of our school. Six times a year, pupils, staff, and families gather in the Cathedral for services that mark key points in the school and church calendar. These services are moments of awe and wonder, offering our community the chance to worship together in a sacred space that inspires reflection, gratitude, and hope.

Our partnership with the Cathedral also brings clergy, musicians, and speakers into school life, giving pupils a rich experience of the breadth of Christian worship and Anglican tradition.

As both our School Chaplain and the Growing Faith Chaplain for Peterborough Cathedral, Revd Lex plays a pivotal role in bridging school, church, and home — ensuring that worship is meaningful, relevant, and rooted in the wider mission of the Church.

The Prayer Room is the beating heart of our spiritual life — a space of welcome, prayer, and reflection for all. Here, pupils have the opportunity to:

• Attend regular Eucharist services and explore the meaning of Christian faith through the sacraments.
• Join confirmation classes, culminating in a moving service at Peterborough Cathedral.
• Take part in lunchtime worship groups and a thriving Christian Union, which provide fellowship and support for pupils seeking to explore their faith.

These opportunities give pupils a chance to explore their spirituality more deeply, ask big questions, and encounter God in a safe and nurturing environment. 

Living out the Christian call to service is central to life at King’s. Pupils and staff are encouraged to use their gifts for the benefit of others through:

• Mentoring - Sixth Formers volunteer to support younger pupils through one-to-one academic and pastoral mentoring.
• Charity and Social Action - Annual events such as Charities Week raise significant funds (over £10,000 in 2024) for causes chosen by pupils, ensuring that giving is personal and meaningful.
• Community Volunteering - Over 50 Sixth Form pupils dedicate Wednesday afternoons to volunteering with local charities, schools, arts organisations, and the NHS.
• Practical Support - Monthly foodbank collections and other initiatives give tangible expression to our commitment to justice and compassion.

Through these experiences, pupils develop empathy, courage, and a sense of responsibility, becoming active citizens who seek to make a positive difference in the world.

Our curriculum is intentionally designed to nurture the whole person. Alongside academic excellence, we create space for pupils to explore meaning, purpose, and faith.

• Religious Studies is taught to all pupils through to GCSE level, with Sixth Form students engaging in theological and ethical reflection through our Research Studies programme.
• Broad and Balanced Learning - The arts, music, and creative subjects are highly valued, affirming that all talents and disciplines are gifts that contribute to the flourishing of the community.

We are committed to using the Windows, Mirrors, Doors framework across subjects, helping pupils to:

• See the World (Windows) - notice beauty and brokenness, experience awe and wonder, and develop gratitude and compassion.
• Reflect (Mirrors) - think deeply about values, faith, and big questions in life, individually and collectively.
• Respond (Doors) - act creatively and courageously, making positive changes in attitude, behaviour, and service.

Whether explicitly through lessons that reflect upon Biblical scripture or more implicitly through opportunities to show creativity, compassion, and courage, our curriculum prepares pupils to become thoughtful, resilient, and inspired individuals, living out the Christian vision in their lives.