Families with children of all ages form a significant part of the life of Wanstead Parish. There are strong links with our parish school. A number of groups meet during service times and on weekday evenings. Signpost (our 11+ group) is planning new and exciting trips our and perhaps a weekend away!
Children and young people are also very much involved
in the life of the choir and there are many social events, from BBQ's to Harvest
Lunch each year at which all ages meet together.
Draft Policy on Work with Children and Young People
Introduction
The parish's mission
to children and young people is, as for every member of the parish family, is
to help people move forward on their journey towards a right relationship with
God. Our commitment to children and young people is manifested in the following
ways:
· Through organisations for which the Parochial
Church Council is directly responsible
· Through support for Wanstead Church School,
founded by the parish in 1790 and now the London Borough of Redbridge's sole
Church of England Primary School.
· By making facilities available to community
organisations.
Organisations for which the PCC is directly responsible
The PCC is responsible
for assuring the safety and welfare of any child attending one of the following
groups:
· Crèche for very young children
held at the time of the main Sunday service at Christ Church
· Sunday worship groups held during term
time in each of the parish's two churches
· Choir
· Preparation classes for first communion
and confirmation
The purpose of these groups is to provide opportunities for worship, fellowship,
spiritual development, and learning about the Christian faith as appropriate
to the ages of those involved. All provision is rooted in the Anglican Catholic
tradition.
Sunday worship groups for primary age children are based on biblical teaching
and follow the Anglican lectionary. They take place at approximately the same
time as the ministry of the word during the main service. Work with secondary
age children affords the opportunity to discuss significant issues in the lives
of our young people. No child is required to make an affirmation of faith during
these Sunday worship groups. Classes to prepare children and young people for
first communion and confirmation follow a structured syllabus.
The PCC has adopted the Diocesan guidelines for keeping children safe and has
appointed a Child Protection Officer for the purpose of administering police
checks and vetting procedures for adult helpers.
Parish support for Wanstead Church School
The Rector is an ex-officio member of the governing body. The PCC appoints three governors in its own right and, de facto, a further three in the name of the Diocese of Chelmsford. Children whose parents are on the parish's electoral roll are given priority in the school's admission policy. There is a strong tradition of mutual interest and support between the parish and the school, which the PCC is keen to maintain.
Children and Young People's Organisations using the parish facilities
The parish hall has
good meeting facilities and offers these to non-profit making organisations
at reasonable rates. The parish ensures that any organisation using its facilities
maintains levels of adult supervision consistent with the diocesan guidelines
for keeping children safe and uses police checks and vetting procedures for
adult helpers.
The
following groups meet in term time during the 9.30 Eucharist at Christ Church:
Crèche (under 3 ½)
Sunday
School (3 ½ - 7 year olds)
Young Peoples (8 - 11 year olds)
Signpost (11+)
The following groups meet at St. Mary's during the 11 a.m. Sung Eucharist:
Sunday School (up to 7 years) and Young Peoples (7+)
The following groups meet during the week: Beavers, Brownies and Cubs
