At St Bernadette Primary, daily prayer and liturgy are at the heart of our vibrant school community. They are fundamental expressions of our Catholic identity and support the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of all our pupils. Through daily acts of worship, classroom prayer, and whole-school liturgical celebrations, we invite our children to encounter Christ, reflect on Gospel values, and celebrate the rich diversity of our school family.

We expect all children to attend Acts of Worship or assemblies. While all parents have the right to withdraw their child from collective worship, the school will seek to discuss the reasons for the request and determine strategies to support the child, in line with the school’s mission of tolerance and mutual respect.

Important Information for Parents:

• How to Make a Request: Any parent wishing to exercise their statutory right to withdraw their child from Prayer and Liturgy (Collective Worship) and/or Religious Education is asked to submit their request in writing to the Headteacher.
• Operational Discussions: Parents are not legally required to provide a reason for withdrawal. However, because our distinctive Catholic ethos, prayer life, and values are woven dynamically throughout the school day, the Headteacher will invite parents to a brief discussion. This is strictly to establish safe operational supervision arrangements for the child and to explore how the school can best support them.
• Supervision: The school maintains a full duty of care for any child who is withdrawn. Pupils are safely supervised by staff in a designated quiet area (such as the school library) where they may engage in independent reading or learning.
• Scope of Withdrawal: The statutory right of withdrawal applies strictly to formal acts of Prayer and Liturgy and standalone Religious Education (RE) lessons. It does not extend to general school notice assemblies, secular celebrations, or other National Curriculum subjects (e.g., History or English) where religious contexts may naturally arise.