A special visit from the Archbishop of York

We were delighted and honoured to welcome a very special group of visitors to our school this week: The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, who was joined by The Right Reverend Dr Anna Eltringham and The Very Reverend Philip Hobday as part of the Archbishop’s Lord’s Prayer Tour.

This was an incredibly exciting and memorable experience for our whole school community and a rare opportunity for the children to meet and engage with senior leaders from the Church of England. The visit began with a whole-school Collective Worship led by Reverend Carolyn James, where we gathered together to reflect on the theme of prayer and our shared identity as part of the “family of the Church”—something the children have been exploring in their recent worships.

The Archbishop led the children through a really engaging and meaningful story, which captured their attention and helped bring his message to life in a way that was both accessible and inspiring. He spoke warmly to the children, encouraging them to think about the importance of kindness, community, and prayer in their everyday lives.

Following Collective Worship, we had the wonderful opportunity to spend time in our Year 5 and Year 6 classrooms. Here, the children asked thoughtful and insightful questions, ranging from the Archbishop’s role within the Church to his own experiences and beliefs. The Archbishop responded with openness and warmth, creating a relaxed and engaging atmosphere. It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm, confidence and curiosity from our children.

We feel extremely privileged to have hosted such an important and inspiring visit. It was a truly enriching experience and a unique opportunity for our children to connect with faith leaders in a personal and meaningful way - one that we are sure will stay with them for a long time.