School assemblies

1960srelic

At our grammar school in the 1960s girls who were not CofE were allowed to skip the religious part of the Assembly and trooped back in for the notices. They stayed in a classroom under the supervision of one of the teachers, who was RC. Although it wasn't a church school we still had hymns and readings and the general manner was Church of England.

We used to have a daily assembly and there was a room just off the hall where those who opted out assembled.
I mostly ended up there because I lived quite a distance away in an area with poor public transport, & was often late (Late excused, we were called).
We went into assembly for notices, much better than going into a lesson 15 minutes late.

And we were also played in to recordings of classical music.

At our grammar school in the 1960s girls who were not CofE were allowed to skip the religious part of the Assembly and trooped back in for the notices. They stayed in a classroom under the supervision of one of the teachers, who was RC. Although it wasn't a church school we still had hymns and readings and the general manner was Church of England.

YorkLady

We had daily assemblies when I was at primary school.
My lasting memory is of the classical music played for about two minutes at the end, then we had to file out of the hall in turn.
It’s where my love of classical music started and I’m grateful for it.

There are some classical pieces that I can name instantly because of primary school assembly, Miss Francis' and her ancient record player.

We had Christian assemblies in Primary school but not when I started secondary school in 1973 - the school was too large. We had a full school (non Christian) assembly once or twice a year but it took a full hour to cram all 2,000 pupils into the adjacent sports centre. I'm not sure that Christians were in the majority anyway.

What about those families who aren't religious? And which religion would you like to see?

I have no problem with children learning about different religions as it's something which exists in the world with which children should be familiar. But it should not be taught from the viewpoint of fact or that this religion is the one...

Evolution should be taught alongside intelligent design let kids make up their own minds.

We had daily assemblies when I was at primary school.
My lasting memory is of the classical music played for about two minutes at the end, then we had to file out of the hall in turn.
It’s where my love of classical music started and I’m grateful for it.

argymargy

I think religion is for home, places of worship and/or community groups, not school. I don't have a problem with school assemblies with songs or poems or whatever they want to do, just not religion.

I agree with this.

I think that teaching about all religions should be compulsory for younger children, so that they understand the reasoning behind others' beliefs, but IMO worship should be separate from school.

That collective worship no longer has to take place in the school hall though, does it?
You can have a class or tutor group meeting first thing, and discuss moral values like being kind and compassionate to your friends.
I think that's fine because that sort of teaching includes all religions or none.

There is supposed to be an act of collective worship every day unless it has changed since I retired.
But many Heads ignored that except during Ofsted when bemused children were herded into the school Hall without the faintest idea of what it was all about.
I think it is sad it no longer happens.

I've a feeling that in state schools the majority of acts of worship must be mainly of a broadly Christian character. So, 51% of the term's assemblies/gatherings would be of a Christian nature.

I attended a CofE primary school in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

Every day started with assembly, hymns, prayers, readings.

The memory of them has stayed with me throughout my life, a peaceful, ordered start to the day.

Surprising how many non church goers still want that type of education for their children.

I wonder why?

Even in my day at school mid 60's early 70's we only had a School Assembly once a week.

I think religion is for home, places of worship and/or community groups, not school. I don't have a problem with school assemblies with songs or poems or whatever they want to do, just not religion.

You are right that Christian assemblies are not a daily occurrence, at least not in the various schools my GC attend.
Another thing I would like to see each day at school is singing our national anthem.
Patriotism like Christianity has been dumbed down for quite a while now so as not to offend ethnic communities.
On a personal note I have no problem whatsoever with seeing a mosque or synagogue on a British street. Religion and culture are an important part of life but I hate to see us almost apologetic for being a Christian country. There needs to be room for us all whatever our beliefs.