The acronym HEARTS gives the ethos for Wickford Church of England Infant School:
- Happiness,
- Esteem,
- Achievement,
- Respect,
- Truth and
- Spirituality.
Father Paul, curate of St Catherine's Church, began Holy Space just last September. Although the school has services at St Catherine's throughout the year, this is an opportunity for the children to have church at school.
It's not only the children who attend. Father Paul opens Holy Space to the whole school community – parents, teachers and others who have a role there.
Holy Space meets after school on Wednesdays. It gives the opportunity for much needed quiet reflection, a time for listening, relaxing and receiving from God.
Holy Space benefits the whole school. Adults and children contribute on an equal footing and it enables parents to worship alongside their children. Attendance is entirely voluntary – just like a normal church.
Fr Paul says he and the head teacher, Mrs Rogan, wanted the raise the profile of spirituality within the school and the idea of Holy Space arose as an idea during a staff and governors' retreat day. It has been a success because its importance is recognised at all levels of school government.