Beginnings

We've been using a 'Reflective Time' in our school for the past 6-7 years. It was an idea that I gleened from the a workshop I attended at the BETT Conference almost 15 years ago. It is a way of making our Collective Worship inclusive but still have a recognisable Christian outlook.

I've always used the same music, the leaf theme from Forrest Gump, and I used to light candles. This became impractical and not all the children could see them, so I used a loop movie of a flickering candle. This became part of the ritual, the children knew that when the music played it was a time to be still and quiet. The words used have changed over the years and sometimes they are read aloud. On other occasions a thought or reflection is given for the children to consider and, if they want to, to pray about. On occasions the person leading the collective worship will say a prayer which the children can "make their own" by saying "Amen" at the end "which means 'I agree'". This make participation optional and personal.

Here is the current video...