# data[].attributes.body
Creating a positive relationship with your local school is so very important, not only in helping children to understand what the Church is about, but also in forging positive connections within the local community. If done well, the relationship between School and Church can be an extremely fruitful and mutually blessing connection. However, it is the “doing it well” that can sometimes be the challenge.

So, to help, we – along with our colleagues in the Children’s Ministry Network – have developed a pack with ideas and guidelines to help you get started.

This guide suggests ways to build and strengthen the relationship between your church and local school(s) by hosting educational visits or services, and offers other suggestions of how to build meaningful connection between the Church and school. Our church buildings and people are a God-given resource and there are many opportunities to use these assets to meet the needs of visiting school groups. No two churches are alike, even within the same denomination. The aim of this guide is to be adaptable to whatever your situation and setting – take from it what fits.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
School Church Visits – Children & Families Ministry

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
CIYD have created this amazing resource to help you engage families in the Climate Justice conversation. It's packed with games, crafts, groups discussions and videos as well as loads of fascinating information. Free to download - simply click on the picture above.

# data[].attributes.body
Some simple drama games that could be used in an assembly or a classroom.

A lot of these games can be used to connect the young people/children into the emotions of characters in stories and are a great way of connecting the themes of Bible stories in their contexts.

# data[].attributes.body
Our website has more information on what we do and some resources available for download.

If you would have any specific questions about booking us or scripts for certain stories/topics, do feel free to get in touch via the contact list.

There are also links to our social media where we post regular updates about our work.

# data[].attributes.headline
SUNI have great resources & opportunities to engage with Schools  

# data[].attributes.subject
SUNI have great resources & opportunities to engage with Schools  

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Overview - SUNI Scripture Union Northern Ireland

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SUNI are passionate about making God's Good News known in primary, post primary and special schools through dedicated staff, training of local volunteers and resourcing the church. In this section, find out more about what we do and how you can play your part.

# data[].attributes.headline
Scripture Union offer a range of supports, resources and activities 

# data[].attributes.subject
Scripture Union offer a range of supports, resources and activities 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Scripture Union has been providing faith-based retreats for over 15 years to students in Primary and Secondary schools. From a Christian perspective, we seek to allow young people to explore what faith and life is all about. Whether you have a faith or not, we believe our retreats offer value to all students. SU looks to inform and engage young people, equipping and empowering them to make independent decisions about their lives and futures. Get in touch and we will work with you to provide the best experience for your students.

These retreats are holistic, interactive and multi-sensory using: Bible talks, group discussions, reflective exercises, meditation, music, film, drama, outdoor activities and games to engage students on issues such as relevant faith, image and identity, substance abuse, bullying and more. These retreats can be tailor-made to suit the needs of your school and/or group.

SU are passionate about young people connecting with God.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Scripture Union has been providing faith-based retreats for over 15 years to students in Primary and Secondary schools. From a Christian perspective, we seek to allow young people to explore what faith and life is all about. Whether you have a faith or not, we believe our retreats offer value to all students.

# data[].attributes.body
How do visitors know it's a Church of Ireland school? Can something from the parish be included?

# data[].attributes.headline
Keeping each other informed - a parish noticeboard in school 

# data[].attributes.subject
Keeping each other informed - a parish noticeboard in school 

# data[].attributes.body
Not all members of the school staff have experience in church. They may feel uncomfortable or nervous when asked to take part. They may not know what they can say or where the boundaries are? It's important to remember that for some people it's easier not to take part than risk being seen to make a mistake.

# data[].attributes.body
Do you speak up for the school in your parish? Do you speak up for the parish in your school? Be a voice and raise awareness.

# data[].attributes.body
Do you know who's who in the parish and in the school? Names matter.
When visitors walk in to the school is it obvious it's a faith based school? What are the signs?

# data[].attributes.body
Consider a rota so that it's not always the same person doing the work.
Does it always have to be a Friday? Sometimes a different day suits - eg a part-time cleric.

# data[].attributes.body
Invite parishioners in to school - ask about their jobs, what they do? Tie in with RE lessons. For parish people - if you're invited - GO!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Creating space in schools where pupils can pause to reflect or pray

The Prayer Spaces Sessions

Join us for our next online training to help you organise and host great prayer spaces. We offer various events that you can join in with. Upskill and learn more about creating effective spaces.

Join us online

New Prayer Activities

Christmas is coming and with that in mind new for 2023 we have a series called Light in the Night!

These new prayer activities can be used both in school and at home, together or stand alone.

Prayer Activities

Saturday Stories

Check out our latest stories and be inspired!

This week we hear from Fiona in Sheffield on an Advent themed prayer space in school.

Latest Stories

Prayer spaces in schools around the world

The first few prayer spaces in schools were in Great Britain. Since then this simple idea has spread to many other nations.

Find your nation

Planning and running your prayer
space is easier than you think...

What are prayer spaces?

Prayer spaces give children and young people a way to explore personal reflection and prayer for themselves using a selection of engaging and creative activities.

Learn more

How to run a prayer space

From how to recruit and train a great volunteer team to choosing the right location for your prayer space, we've got detailed step-by-step guidelines to help you get started.

Plan your Prayer Space

Explore our Resource Library

Our growing library of resources includes prayer activities, lesson plans and good practice guidelines. We've got everything you need to host a fantastic prayer space.

Resource Library

The resources in our library are all tried-and-tested. Choose what's right for your prayer space, whether it's in school or at home.

Prayer activity

Forest Hope

This activity encourages pupils to think about their hopes and dreams.

View

Forest Hope

Prayer activity

Pray for Ukraine

This activity helps pupils to pray for the war in Ukraine.

View

Pray for Ukraine

Prayer activity

Forest Rubbish

This activity encourages pupils to consider when they've said or done 'rubbish' things

View

Forest Rubbish

Comfort Blanket

Forest Thanks

Peace Maker

More Prayer Activities

Inspiring stories that show the different ways people have run prayer spaces and the impact they've had on pupils and their schools.

All Stories

What people say...

"The prayer space has been brilliant for my students. A personal, spiritual and peaceful experience for all groups: I highly recommend it."

Head of R.E.

"I've never seen prayer displayed or experienced like this before. It's made me realise how many different ways prayer can be appreciated. It's opened up religion into my life again. Thank you!"

6th Form pupil

"I loved this place, it was so relaxed. It gave me a chance to say how I really felt as I don't really talk with my family"

Year 6 pupil

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Prayer Spaces In Schools - Helping Children and Young People to Reflect and Pray. Prayer spaces enable children and young people, of all...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Prayer Activities Archives - Prayer Spaces In Schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As a schools worker in East Belfast, I can appreciate the value and benefit of a programme but I also see a growing need across our schools for spaces. Spaces for pupils to process the world around them, to share their worries and fears, to be heard, to be still and most importantly spaces to allow God to speak.

It was a huge privilege to run a prayer space in Knocknagoney Primary school in partnership with Knocknagoney Parish this term. We ran the space for all pupils in the school (from nursery right up to P7) in line with the RE curriculum, allowing pupils to explore what it means to pray. Initially the school was a little apprehensive of what this would look like but after the first few sessions it became clear that this was a space for everyone, a space for every background and belief to explore and enjoy. By the end of the week the school thoroughly supported not only this space but any future spaces in the school as they saw the benefit to both pupils, teachers and classroom assistants.

Each class spent 40 minutes in the prayer space and after a short introduction of what it means to pray they were encouraged to explore for themselves the different prayer stations around the room which were facilitated by volunteers who were parents from the local churches. The most popular prayer activities were the pipe cleaner people, self-esteem mirror, sand trays, calm jars and fizzy forgiveness.

It struck me how many gravitated towards the 'be still' corner with a genuine yearning to slow down and take time to reflect. One boy in particular spent the whole of his classes session in the corner, taking time to read stories from the Bible and was enjoy a time of stillness in his day.

" It helps people calm down and come closer to God " (P7 pupil)

As followers of Jesus we believe that God is a God who hears every thought and every word, nothing is lost to Him. I thank God for the space that allowed a young pupil to process her grief at the recent loss of a family member, I thank God for the space to be a listening ear to a pair of older boys who shared the struggle of being a Christian in their class, for the delight of a pupil with autism who could flourish in a sensory filled space. I thank God for the opportunity it gave a classroom assistant to build a better relationship with the pupil she'll be with over the next two years.

I thank God that He was in every conversation, every word, every action and that it could not have been more clear at the end of the week that in all things God works for our good.

" We can talk to God at any time " P2 Pupil

" It made me feel happy and understand myself and God better " P6 Pupil

"T he sand tray helped me because I forgot about mean things people have said " P5 Pupil

" I enjoyed the rope where you have to untie the knots that show your feelings, it was like talking to someone with the same feelings " P7 Pupil

" I can tell God anything " P7 Pupil

We are excited as we plan a second space in this school later on in the year and more spaces in other schools in the area.

Sarah Coghlan - SU E3 worker for East Belfast.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Space for every background and belief to explore and enjoy. - 24-7 Prayer Ireland

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As a schools worker in East Belfast, I can appreciate the value and benefit of a programme but I also see a growing need across our schools for spaces. Spaces for pupils to process the world around them, to share their worries and fears, to be heard, to be still and most importantly spaces to [...]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
I have carried a vision for using prayer spaces within our schools for the past few years. Whilst I ran our first pupil lead space with transition year students last year I had the opportunity to host our first Prayer Space at our local Primary school in Cahir (South Tipperary), Bunscoil na Cathrach, a few weeks ago. The school had limited space to offer us so we had to rethink how we would host the prayer space to serve school life. After some conversation with the school we had an idea to make the prayer space mobile. We came up with a plan to take 8 prayer activities around to the 2 groups of 3 rd to 6 th Class classes. We set them up during break times and then did the prayer space lesson with them in their class, all with the help from 4 Transition Year students from Colaiste dun Iascaigh, the local secondary school.

Because the activities had to be mobile, easy to set up and take down and suitable for all students to engage with on a limited space, we focused on simple stations taken from the website. We used existing school tables, chairs and notice boards to display the stations along with posters on large card to allow for the post it notes to be attached around the posters. Through these simple activities and utilising what was already in the classroom we were able to create a mobile prayer space for the class to use. We did a brief introduction to prayer and the activities and then allowed time for the students to use the space before getting some feedback at the end.

The students really engaged with the activities and across the classes pupils gave positive feedback. Some said it helped them to calm down and feel relaxed whilst others commented it got them thinking and asking questions. Some students liked the 'Pipe Cleaner People' activity because they could reflect on the person whilst creating them. Another student found the Thinking Good Thoughts activity helpful because they could "think about good things instead of bad." One of the teachers commented how this type of thing was great for the whole school, regardless of faith background, because it accessible to all. Now I'm in the process of exploring a more permanent space in the school for the pupils to access and use regularly.

I've learnt that there's so many ways Prayer Spaces in Schools resources can be used as part of school life, sometimes we just need to think outside the box and get a little more creative.

Lucy Bateman

Cahir

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Prayer Space but mobile... - 24-7 Prayer Ireland

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
I have carried a vision for using prayer spaces within our schools for the past few years. Whilst I ran our first pupil lead space with transition year students last year I had the opportunity to host our first Prayer Space at our local Primary school in Cahir (South Tipperary), Bunscoil na Cathrach, a few [...]

# data[].attributes.headline
Other CMSI children's resource materials

# data[].attributes.subject
Other CMSI children's resource materials

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
CMSI's Children's Resource for 2023 explores the theme of climate justice. The material includes:

Bible teaching on God's love for the whole world

Videos about Nepal and the climate crisis

A range of themed games, activities and crafts

A drama competition

A fundraising challenge to help support the global Church as it works with children.

​

TheSwitched On material is now available to view and download for free. Sign-up to access the material today. We'll send you a password to give you full access to the Switched On page and full suite of resources on the CMSI website.

schools, churches, children's clubs and youth groups in Ireland. It provides original and creative material for at least four sessions with four different age groups.
It's an ideal resource for anyone wanting to encourage a greater interest in global mission.

​

​

Leaders' Guide - background information; session outlines; teen activities; all-age service material

Moving image - Four films to introduce the country and global partner; extra materials

Activity Workbooks - for the three primary school age-groups

Here's one of the films from our 2017 Children's Resource, Growing in God, which focused on a community in Nairobi, Kenya.

View or download previous Children's Resource material

​

Click on the images to access your free downloads:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
CMSI's Children's Resource for 2023 explores the theme of climate justice. The material includes: Bible teaching on God's love for the whole world Videos about Nepal and the climate crisis A range of themed games, activities and crafts A drama competition A fundraising challenge to help support the global Church as it works with children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Please use this form to register for the CMSI Children's Resource 2023. (The red asterisks indicate required fields.) Once you have submitted this form, you will receive a link and password to access the Switched on page on the CMSI website.