Spirtual Life & Acts of Worship

As a Catholic school we are a worshipping community. In planning liturgical experiences for our students, we remember that liturgy is primarily for those who desire to celebrate, and is essentially a free activity. However, it is also realised that younger pupils do also need direction and encouragement.

The Church's festivals are celebrated in school, and all these acts of worship are central to the life of the school. Students will experience a number of events including, Advent Service at the end of the Autumn Term, a Lenten/Easter Service at the end of the Spring Term, and an End of Year Service, at the end of the Summer Term, as well as Holy Day Masses. There is also a voluntary Mass celebrated in our Oratory every Monday lunchtime. The experience of prayer is therefore an integral part of Religious Education and school life at Nicholas Breakspear.

There are opportunities for Staff Prayer and Reflection on Inset days and at the staff briefing at the start of each week. We aim to offer the opportunity for the sacrament of Reconciliation to all during Lent. Form tutors pray with their forms every day and our Oratory is available for use by all during the day. Each week a different form will take part in their Oratory week which finishes with the form taking a lead for the Friday lunchtime Mass.

It is part of our School ethos that all staff in the school are actively involved in preparing for masses and assemblies, and the RE department supports staff in this.