We're so sad that the weather didn't allow us all to celebrate our Easter journey through Holy Week together, but here's a video of our lovely service yesterday.

Happy Easter everyone!

Miss Hunt

At Denby Free, as an Outstanding Church of England School, we hold Collective Worship every day. Most days this is in school, either as a whole school community, in classrooms or outside embracing our beautiful environment. It is a time when all children and staff, of all religions and none, are invited to come together and learn, pray, reflect or simply enjoy some quiet time in their busy day. Daily worship at Denby Free is planned by the Collective Worship coordinator with support from the Collective Worship Team made up of children from KS2 who have been elected on the basis of wanting to deepen their own spirituality and help to provide opportunities to nurture the spiritual development of all children in school from EYFS - Y6.

Worship is planned in a two - year cycle using the Imaginor 'Roots and Fruits' resource. It is invitational; children are invited to join in singing and prayers but we respect every child and adult's right not to if this does not reflect their individual beliefs. Similarly, we expect every child and adult who chooses not to actively worship, to respect the rights of those who do wish to by sitting quietly and listening/allow others to listen. Worship is interactive with stories, singing, drama and  many children tell us it is one of the favourite parts of their day. Visitors also lead Collective Worship from time to time and often comment on the special atmosphere within school:

"As a member of the Valley Cids Quest Team we go into nearly 50 schools to deliver worship.

I have led worship at Denby for the last couple of years and I can honestly say it's my favourite school out of all the schools we visit.  I go into school to hopefully bless the children and the teachers, but I always come out of Denby feeling so blessed by them. It is evident that worship is taken very seriously , they create a beautiful atmosphere and the whole school are always involved, teachers included. This is a very rare thing in my experience, but one which creates a lovely sense of unity."  Emma Ross AVCQT

Collective Worship has at the heart of it, the Christian Values on which our school is founded. They help us to live out the Christian vision of the Diocese of Derby which is 'to offer children and young people life in all its fullness’. 

We focus on a different Christian Value theme each half term. Each value is introduced in Collective Worship and links are made with the value across the curriculum. Our children are encouraged to demonstrate the values in their school and home life. Parents receive information on the current value and ideas for activities and discussions they can do at home.

As a Church of England school we have close links with St Mary's Parish Church where worship is held at least once a week. Reverend Tracy Robinson (Vicar) and Martin Jones (minister)  also visit  school to support both Collective Worship and RE teaching.

The Values we explore and strive to live by are:

Overall school values: RESPECT and STEWARDSHIP of the earth

Class Values: LOVE, WISDOM, HONESTY, FORGIVENESS, GENTLENESS

Other core values our vision embodies: HOPE, HUMILITY, SERVICE, PERSEVERANCE, COURAGE, JUSTICE AND PEACE

In addition to daily worship, we have whole school celebrations to mark the Christian festivals of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Epiphany and Remembrance which our whole school communities are invited to attend.