Prayer and liturgy are central to the Catholic life and mission of Our Lady’s School and are at the heart of daily school life. They shape the school’s culture, inform relationships, and support the spiritual formation of every pupil.
In line with the Catholic Schools Inspectorate framework and the Religious Education Directory (2023), prayer and liturgy at Our Lady’s School are purposeful, inclusive, and rooted in the teaching and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. They enable pupils to encounter Christ, reflect on God’s Word, and respond through prayer, worship, and action.
Prayer and liturgy at Our Lady’s School:
They are not an additional activity but an integral and visible expression of the school’s Catholic identity.
Prayer is embedded naturally and routinely into the rhythm of the school day. Pupils experience regular, meaningful opportunities for prayer, enabling them to grow in confidence, understanding, and personal faith.
Daily prayer includes:
Pupils are encouraged to contribute intentions and lead prayer, supporting active participation and ownership, as expected by CSI.
Collective Worship at Our Lady’s School is well-planned, reverent, and engaging, enabling pupils to reflect on Scripture and apply Gospel values to their own lives.
Collective Worship includes:
Acts of worship follow a clear and consistent structure and include Scripture, prayer, reflection, and response. Worship is evaluated and developed to ensure it remains purposeful and impactful.
Prayer and liturgy reflect the seasons, feasts, and rhythms of the Liturgical Year, helping pupils to develop a deepening understanding of the life of the Church.
Key seasons celebrated include:
Classroom prayer areas and school displays reflect these seasons, reinforcing learning and supporting prayerful engagement.
The celebration of the Mass is central to the spiritual life of the school. Pupils participate in Mass at key points throughout the year, both in school and at Our Lady’s Church, strengthening the partnership between school, parish, and home.
Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion takes place in Year 3 and is led by the school in collaboration with the Parish Priest. Through prayer, liturgy, and Religious Education, pupils are supported to participate reverently and with understanding.
Every classroom has a dedicated prayer focus or sacred space, providing a visible and meaningful place for prayer and reflection. These spaces are regularly updated to reflect the Liturgical Year and current Religious Education themes.
Each class also maintains a Spirituality Book, which captures the prayer life and spiritual journey of the class over time. These books provide evidence of pupils’ engagement, reflection, and spiritual growth.
The school environment clearly demonstrates that prayer and worship are valued and prioritised.
Pupils are encouraged and enabled to take an active and increasingly independent role in prayer and worship.
Opportunities include:
This supports pupils in developing confidence, responsibility, and a sense of belonging within the worshipping community, meeting CSI expectations for pupil engagement.
Our Lady’s School values the partnership between home, school, and parish. Parents and families are warmly invited to attend Masses, liturgies, and celebrations.
Prayer and liturgy strengthen relationships across the community and promote a shared understanding of faith in action.
As a result of high-quality prayer and liturgy:
Prayer and liturgy at Our Lady’s School contribute significantly to pupils’ personal development and to the school’s strong Catholic ethos, fully meeting the expectations of the Catholic Schools Inspectorate.