Sunday School

At Sunday School we aim to offer sessions which will help the children to learn about Christianity in a relaxed and safe environment.
 
Who is it for?
Sunday School is for children of primary school age, a child would normally begin Sunday School when they start Reception Class and leave when they begin Secondary School.

Where and when is it held?
The Sunday School is held in the large hall in the Centre. It is held at 10.00am every Sunday during term time, apart from the first Sunday of the month, when there is Children’s Mass in the church and on Family Sundays: Mothering Sunday, Harvest Festival and Christmas Day.

Who runs it?
The Sunday School is led by volunteers, all of whom are parents and many are experienced in working with children.  There are always at least three leaders present for each meeting and the children are supervised at all times.

What is expected of me as a parent/carer?

  • We require that every child is brought by a parent/carer and that they fill in a registration/emergency form and receive a copy of the St John’s Safeguarding Children Policy. 
  • We do not expect parents/carers to stay for the session, but understand that children sometimes need a short settling in period. 
  • A register is taken at the beginning of each session. These sessions generally consist of storytelling/drama, singing, a short act of worship and discussion time, followed by the children’s independent work on a set theme.  We follow the church calendar and each session is structured so that all children are able to take part. 
  • At the end of the session, the children with the Sunday School leaders return to the church in time to go to the altar rail to be blessed/take communion. 
  • The children are expected to stay with the Sunday School until the end of the service and should be collected by their parents/carers from the Sunday School leaders in the church.

What is expected of my child?

  • To come and have a good time, make new friends and learn about their faith. However, in order for this to happen there has to be a similar standard of behaviour to what is expected at school. 
  • When in the church itself, children are asked to conduct themselves in a respectful manner; we see this as good preparation for worship in later life and an important part of their Christian education.