Our C of E Status

Hartwell Church of England School is a Voluntary Controlled Primary School and, recognising its historic foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England.

This includes respecting other faiths and working in partnership with the church in the parish of St John the Baptist, Hartwell and at diocesan level.

Our school vision is inclusive of all and reflects that all our children are well prepared to be active citizens and 'experience life in all it's fullness', (John 10:10)

Collective worship — what we do at Hartwell Primary

At Hartwell, collective worship is central to school life and rooted in our Christian values: Believe, Aspire, Grow. Each session is a calm, reflective time when pupils and staff come together to pray, sing, reflect and celebrate one another. Worship begins with the lighting of a candle and a short moment of reflection, and finishes with a prayer chosen from our pupil-written prayer cross.

Weekly pattern

  • Monday — Headteacher-led worship
    The Headteacher leads a whole-school worship that focuses on our local community, the wider world and what it means to be active, responsible citizens. British and school values are explored in a way pupils can relate to and act upon.
  • Tuesday — Singing together
    We use a wide repertoire of hymns and songs that unite and energise the school. Singing supports collective praise, reflection and a sense of belonging.
  • Wednesday — Visitors and shared leadership
    We welcome visitors such as our local vicar and members of our Christian Schools’ Advisory/Support team. Teachers take turns on a rota so every teacher leads or supports whole-school worship during the year, giving pupils experience of different styles and leaders.
  • Thursday — Key-stage worship and Bible teaching
    Pupils gather in key-stage groups for worship which often includes a Bible text, age-appropriate reflection and short discussion to help pupils connect scripture with everyday life.
  • Friday — Celebration worship (parents invited)
    We celebrate achievements from across school—academic, social and values-based. Teachers present the ‘Star of the Week’ and we recognise children who have earned tokens for demonstrating Hartwell values. Parents are welcomed to join our weekly celebration.

How pupils participate

  • Worship is pupil-centred: children contribute prayers, help choose readings and lead elements of worship as they grow in confidence.
  • Our prayer cross holds children’s written prayers which we use regularly in worship, linking reflection to action.
  • Music, scripture and moments of silence are used to help pupils reflect and respond.

This pattern gives pupils a predictable rhythm of worship, supports spiritual development and links closely to our curriculum and Christian vision.

Ethos Team

To support the distinctive Christian nature of our school, we have an Ethos Team. The members of our Ethos Team are as follows:

Ian Messenger (Foundation Governor)

Fi Messenger (Archway Trust)

Nicky Haggett (Grandparent)

Jac Johnson (Headteacher)

There are also numerous volunteers who support the team, including members of the Archway Trust, Denise Brack (Church Warden) and Margaret Ball (Safeguarding governor).

Prayer Spaces

Each term the Ethos Team provide the whole school community the opportunity to be part of a Prayer Space.

Prayer Spaces are usually held at the church and parents/family members are welcome to join us. Our Prayer Spaces provide opportunities for children to explore spirituality and faith beyond the curriculum.  Each Prayer Space has a theme linked to the church calendar, our Christian School Values or a current issue that is of interest to the children, for example, Climate Change/Care for our World.