Why Assemblies Are Important at Roundwood Primary School

At Roundwood Primary School, assemblies play a vital role in supporting children’s personal development, wellbeing and understanding of the wider world. They provide a shared, inclusive space where pupils from across the school community come together to reflect, celebrate and learn beyond the academic curriculum. Assemblies reinforce our school values and help children develop important life skills such as respect, responsibility, reliability, resilience and empathy. They enable pupils to make sense of current events, appreciate diversity, understand their rights and responsibilities, and build a strong sense of belonging within the school. Through assemblies, children are encouraged to reflect on their actions, celebrate achievements, develop moral and social awareness, and grow as confident, thoughtful and active citizens prepared for life in modern Britain.

Here is an overview of the assemblies enjoyed at Roundwood:

Assembly Overview to support Children’s Personal Development

Picture News (Both Sites)

Led by Mrs Handley and Mrs Clarke. Picture News will introduce the children to a current news story whilst promoting and linking British Values, Protected Characteristics and UN Rights of the Child. We know that children see stories in the news they are curious or confused about. These assemblies will give children the opportunity to make sense of the world. Picture News finds the positives in current affairs by turning world events into learning opportunities. A take home will be shared with parents each week and follow up questions will be sent to class teachers to discuss on a Friday.

Music (Gawcott)

Led by Mr Webb who will introduce the children to different genres of music, different styles of performance, explore cultural diversity and support children to develop their own musical preferences. Children will also have the opportunity to showcase their own musical talents and achievements along with practising for upcoming performances such as Harvest, Christmas and Easter.

Significant Events / People (Both sites)

Led by Mrs Longton and Mrs Field who will introduce the children to historical events and people who helped to shape the world we live in today. These assemblies will offer a shared time for reflection and discussion on important themes, helping children to develop an understanding of their culture, values, and the wider world. They will also inspire children by highlighting diverse talents and contributions, foster personal and spiritual growth, promote awareness of global citizenship, and build a stronger sense of community.

Values (Gawcott)

Led by Mrs Kent who will deliver a values based assembly to support the children with current trends, concerns, events in school as highlighted through teacher meetings / PSHE lessons / Behaviour monitoring. These assemblies are designed to teach and reinforce positive moral and social principles, such as honesty, kindness, and respect. These assemblies focus on key character traits and societal values, using interactive methods, stories, and discussions to foster empathy, integrity, and social responsibility in students.

Singing (Tingewick)

Led by Miss Hicks who will deliver a singing assembly where children will learn nursery rhymes and songs to support children’s oracy and English curriculum development. Singing assemblies will also help to boost emotional well-being and mental health, foster social connection and community, improve cognitive development and memory, and develop transferable skills like discipline and teamwork. They provide a positive, unifying experience for the entire school, strengthening social bonds, promoting empathy, and supporting academic learning across subjects. Children will also have the opportunity to learn songs around a theme and practice for performances such as Harvest, Christmas and Easter

Celebration (Both sites)

Led by each class teacher on a Friday, to end the week celebrating the children and their amazing achievements and talents.

Awards given via Marvellous Me for:

• Being Respectful - Values closely linked to respect include kindness, empathy, honesty, tolerance, fairness, dignity, love, compassion, and self-respect. These values underpin the act of showing regard for the worth and feelings of others, fostering healthy relationships and a more positive environment for everyone. 
• Being Responsible - Values linked to responsibility in include accountability, decision-making, empathy, self-discipline, reliability, independence, and a sense of community. Teaching children responsibility helps them to develop a strong character, make sound choices, foster good relationships, and become successful, contributing adults. 
• Being Reliable - Values linked to developing reliability include honesty, responsibility, accountability, dedication, commitment, loyalty, dependability, and the ability to keep promises and honour one's word. These values form a strong foundation for ethical behaviour, character, and positive social interactions, teaching children to be trustworthy and consistent in their actions and words. 
• Being Resilient - Values linked to developing resilience include perseverance, determination, courage, optimism, adaptability, self-belief, and emotional strength. These values help children to face challenges positively, recover from setbacks, and keep going even when learning feels difficult. Resilience builds confidence and independence, enabling children to learn from mistakes, manage their emotions, and approach new experiences with a growth mindset, supporting both their personal development and long-term success.
• Writer of the week – example shared with class and via Marvellous Me
• Mathematician of the Week – example shared with class and via Marvellous Me
• Reader of the week – Raffle ticket given to any pupil with four reads in their reading journal, then raffle ticket pulled during assembly and children get to select a book to take home and keep.
• Attendance certificate – to show class percentage
• House points – to share collective total
• Numbots / Times Tables Rock Stars certificates
• Certificates achieved outside of school

At the end of the celebration assembly, teachers will revisit Picture News story, from Monday, using teacher prompts to discuss any follow up thoughts or questions.