All maintained schools in England must provide a daily act of collective worship. This must reflect the traditions of this country which are, in the main, broadly Christian.
Parents have the right to withdraw their child from the daily act of collective worship and sixth-formers can decide for themselves whether or not to attend, without giving a reason for doing so. Schools must comply with this wish and must ensure a duty of care for pupils who are withdrawn from collective worship.
Collective worship guidance is contained in Circular 1/94. Circular 1/94 has been replaced, so far as it relates to religious education, by guidance published on 29 January 2010. However, the guidance on collective worship contained within Circular 1/94 remains current. The updated non-statutory guidance on RE is available online.
