LightSpace are present in more than 20 primary schools in Grantham providing many different services.
Expand the sections below to learn more:
Throughout the year, LightSpace leads clubs in a number of primary schools across Grantham. The clubs are run jointly between Jennie and local volunteers trained by LightSpace and with a member of staff from the school present.
The purpose of these clubs is for children to have the space to reflect and respond to the stories of the Christian faith and consider how Christianity can make a difference in their lives, the school community and the wider world.
We offer a number of different styles of Club including Godly Play and Out of the Box storytelling. We will happily work with you to discover the best club for your school.
We provide collective worship which is inspirational, invitational and inclusive reaching the school community in accessible ways to connect to the stories and values of Christianity.
Collective Worship can be the most special nurturing moment in the school day. It is the heartbeat of the school day and a breathing space where all can come together to focus and reflect as a school community.
We provide space for children and teaching staff to have the opportunity to worship God through Jesus Christ, without losing sight of the different starting points of children, and for the need for collective worship to take into consideration the different developmental ages of children. The collective worship is Christian in character.
Jennie will work with schools within your established pattern of collective worship and can also help you consider new ideas and themes in your planning, enabling us to help in nurturing and developing this very special time in the life of the school. She can fit with the planning themes you may have chosen for each term and discuss ways in which children may be nurtured to understand those themes for themselves. Typically we offer Collective worships to each school at least once every half term.
There will always be opportunities for the children to engage, reflect upon and respond within collective worship. Jennie will also involve the children in telling the story, in fun link activities, and in response time. For key stage 1 puppets may even come along too to help!
Open the Book provides primary school children with an opportunity to hear key Bible stories from a team of volunteers from local churches. These volunteers present the stories during collective worship. Each presentation takes 10-15 minutes, and involves excellent props, scenery, and drama: Open the Book brings Bible stories to life! It is a 3-year rolling programme with optional material based on Christian values.
One collective worship in each half term is available to specific schools.
Godly Play is a small group activity or supported RE lesson where all are invited to engage with the stories of Christian faith. This is done by:
- Creating Sacred Space
- Building and working in community
- Learning religious language
- Using religious language to make meaning
A typical Godly Play session includes a time to:
- get ready
- tell a story using objects and artefacts
- explore the story more with open questions and discussion
- respond with a free choice using a variety of materials – art… silence… play… writing…
- enjoy a simple feast and sharing – this often happens first as the children eat together for lunch
Jennie and our volunteers can come to your school to lead workshops. For example with year 6 we can run 'It's Your Move' workshops preparing for the transition to secondary school.
At times in schools everyone needs a listening ear. As a lay worker, Jennie is qualified and experienced in pastoral care, bereavement care, and trauma care. Jennie is available if necessary to provide support to children and adults within the life of the school. This service is limited to the volunteers available who are trained to provide our Listening Services.
We can offer partnership work with churches for Experience Easter schools work, Bethlehem trail at Christmas and holiday clubs. We can provide trained volunteers to the smaller churches. Of course, partnerships are limited due to the availability of Jennie and our volunteers so please contact us if you wish to discuss this.