Prayer and Liturgy at Oratory Primary School 

 Introduction 

At Oratory Primary School, prayer and liturgy are central to our identity as a Catholic community. They provide opportunities for pupils, staff and families to encounter God, grow in faith and reflect on the Gospel values that guide our lives. 

Prayer is woven throughout the rhythm of the school day and reflects our shared commitment to living out our motto: 

“We work together, we laugh together, we play together and we pray together.” 

Through prayer and worship, the children are encouraged to deepen their relationship with God and develop an understanding of how faith can guide their actions and decisions. These moments of reflection help our children grow spiritually, strengthening their sense of belonging within our school, parish and the wider Church. 

Our vision for life and learning at Oratory Primary School reminds us that we aim to nurture children who are loving, considerate and ready to do good in the world. Prayer and liturgy play an important role in helping pupils reflect on this mission and recognise God’s presence in their everyday lives. 

The Importance of Prayer in Our School Community 

Prayer is an important and valued part of each school day. It provides a space for reflection, gratitude and spiritual growth, helping children develop a personal relationship with God. 

Throughout the day pupils are given regular opportunities to pray together as a class and as a whole school community. These moments may include traditional prayers of the Church, spontaneous prayer, Scripture reflection and quiet contemplation. 

Each classroom has a dedicated prayer area, carefully created to reflect the liturgical season and providing a focal point for prayer and reflection. These areas often include Scripture, candles, crosses, religious images and children’s own written prayers. 

Through these shared experiences of prayer, pupils learn that faith is not only something we learn about but something that is lived and experienced within the community. 

Mass and Liturgical Celebrations 

The Holy Mass is at the centre of Catholic life and therefore holds a special place within our school community. 

Mass is celebrated regularly both in school and at our parish church, bringing together pupils, staff and families in prayer and thanksgiving. These celebrations allow our pupils to participate actively in the liturgical life of the Church and deepen their understanding of the Eucharist. 

The school community gathers for Mass at important moments throughout the year, including: 

•  Key feast days 
• Holy Days of Obligation 
• Significant moments in the Church’s liturgical calendar
• Year group Masses 

Year group Masses provide a particularly special opportunity for pupils, staff and parents to come together in worship. These celebrations strengthen the partnership between home, school and parish and are always well supported by families. 

The children are fully involved in preparing these celebrations, helping to write prayers, read Scripture and take part in the liturgy. 

Pupil Leadership in Prayer and Worship 

A particular strength of the Catholic life of our school is the confident and thoughtful way in which pupils lead one another in prayer and worship. 

Children are encouraged to take an active role in planning and leading:  

• Class liturgies 

• Prayer services 

• School Masses 

• Class assemblies 

 Through these experiences, our children develop confidence in expressing their faith and grow in their understanding of how prayer can bring people together. 

Class assemblies, in particular, provide opportunities for pupils to reflect on themes from Scripture, the liturgical year or Catholic Social Teaching while sharing their reflections with the wider school community and their families. 

Parents, carers and family members are warmly welcomed to attend these celebrations and their presence helps strengthen the sense of community within our school. 

Opportunities for Prayer Throughout the Year 

In addition to daily prayer and Mass, pupils take part in a variety of prayerful experiences throughout the year that reflect the richness of the Church’s liturgical life. 

These opportunities include:  

• Child-led acts of worship within classrooms 

• Spirituality day, allowing time for deeper reflection and prayer 

• The May Procession, honouring Our Lady and celebrating the month dedicated to Mary 

• Rosary groups, which run at particular times of the liturgical year 

• Prayer and reflection linked to key liturgical seasons such as Advent and Lent 

These moments provide both planned and spontaneous opportunities for prayer, helping pupils develop habits of reflection and gratitude. 

Prayer Journals 

From Year 2 onwards, every child at Oratory Primary School receives a special Prayer Journal. 

This journal forms part of the children’s weekly homework and provides a meaningful opportunity for them to reflect on their faith and respond to the liturgical life of the Church. 

The reflections in the Prayer Journal follow the liturgical calendar, helping pupils engage with the seasons and themes of the Church year. Through writing, drawing or quiet reflection, children are invited to offer their thoughts and prayers to God. 

The Prayer Journal encourages pupils to see prayer as a personal conversation with God, helping them to:  

• Reflect on their experiences and feelings 

• Express gratitude and ask for guidance 

• Respond to Scripture and liturgical themes 

• Develop their own voice in prayer 

This practice supports pupils in building a deeper and more personal relationship with God. 

Supporting Prayer at Home 

We recognise the important role that parents play in supporting the faith development of their children. 

Families may find the Oratory Prayer Guidelines helpful when encouraging their children to learn and practise prayers at home. By sharing prayer both at school and at home, children are able to see faith as a natural and meaningful part of everyday life. 

The partnership between home, school and parish is an important part of nurturing a living faith within our pupils. 

Our School Prayer 

Our school prayer reflects our belief that every child is unique and valued within God’s family.  

Dear Lord, 

We are one school, all equal.
Thank you for my friends old and new.
Thank you for giving us different talents
And for making us special in different ways. 

Please watch over and guide all the pupils and teachers here at the Oratory.
Let there be peace.
Help our minds shine with brightness. 

May you teach us to follow in your footsteps
And love others as we love you.
Help us grow happily together and to recognise Jesus in all of us. 

Let our school be full of love for here we learn your ways, Lord. 

Amen 

Prayer and liturgy are at the heart of life at Oratory Primary School. These experiences help our children grow spiritually while strengthening the sense of community that defines our school. By praying together, celebrating together and reflecting together, we live out our motto each day -learning, growing and walking in faith as members of God’s family.