At Tolleshunt D’Arcy, our Holy Council plays a special and important role in helping to shape and strengthen our school’s Christian ethos. These pupil leaders work alongside staff, clergy and the wider school community to ensure that our Christian vision - “Together we grow! Together we flourish! Together we fly!” - is lived out in meaningful and joyful ways each day.
The Holy Council is made up of children who show kindness, leadership, compassion and a genuine interest in exploring faith, worship and spiritual life. They help us create a school environment where everyone feels welcome, valued and supported in their own journey of spirituality.
The Holy Council meets regularly to reflect on worship, plan events and help us continually strengthen our Christian distinctiveness. Their work includes:
Supporting Collective Worship through readings, prayers and reflections
Helping to choose or introduce themes linked to values, Bible stories and key Christian celebrations
Welcoming visitors, clergy and community members
Helping to prepare the hall for worship, including music, displays and resources
Offering pupil voice on how worship feels and how it could continue to grow
Leading special services such as Harvest, Christmas, Easter and end-of-year celebrations
Supporting younger pupils in understanding our school values and Christian vision
Their leadership ensures that our school’s Christian character is shaped not just by adults, but by the ideas and enthusiasm of our children.
Members of the Holy Council act as role models for others by demonstrating:
Kindness and compassion
Respect for difference
Confidence in sharing ideas
A willingness to help others
An openness to reflection, prayer and worship
They also help younger pupils understand important concepts such as WOWs, OWs, NOWs and POWs, and encourage them to see how spirituality can inspire compassion, responsibility and courageous advocacy.
The Holy Council works closely with:
St Nicholas Church and local clergy
Our school’s Collective Worship Leader
Teachers who help plan worship and spiritual development across the school
They help strengthen the relationship between school and church, taking part in services, supporting community events and sometimes meeting with clergy to discuss themes for worship or special celebrations.
Through the Holy Council, pupils gain confidence, leadership experience and a deeper understanding of how faith, values and spirituality shape our school community. They help ensure that worship is meaningful, inclusive and inspiring, and they play a central role in helping our Christian ethos grow and flourish.
At Tolleshunt D’Arcy, we believe that pupil voice matters deeply - and the Holy Council is one of the most powerful ways in which our children help us “soar on wings like eagles” as a community grounded in love, hope and faith.