It is currently the law in England that maintained schools provide a daily act of ‘collective worship’ for all registered pupils. Since September 2007, schools have been under a duty to promote community cohesion, with a particular focus on achieving cohesion “across different cultures, ethnic, religious or non-religious and socio-economic groups.” One way to ensure a more inclusive approach is to apply to Ealing SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) for a determination to lift the requirement that the daily act be predominately Christian. SACRE has also produced guidance to help schools develop policies that encourage the participation of all pupils and staff by referring to ‘reflection’ rather than ‘worship’.
Information regarding the procedure to modify the requirement for schools to provide daily acts of collective worship that are mainly Christian.
Links to sites providing information and resources for school assemblies.
Information regarding policy, as well as the rights of parents to withdraw their children.