Over 1,800 children from church schools across Birmingham and the region joined a series of special services at Birmingham Cathedral over the last few weeks.
The Leavers’ Services – for Year 2 children moving to junior school and Year 6 children moving to secondary school – celebrated the Christian values the children will take with them into their new schools.
The services each featured prayers, songs, Bible readings, a short talk and a drama from Riverside Performing Arts. The music was led by Ashley Wagner, Assistant Director of Music at Birmingham Cathedral, accompanied by David Hardie, Director of Music and Chris Booth.
Children played key roles in each part of the services, which were led by the Very Reverend Matt Thompson, Dean of Birmingham and Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education, with support from the Church of England Birmingham’s Education team.
Bookmarks and candles at Year 2 Leavers Services
With the theme United in love and kindness, the children shared a series of bible readings about God’s uniting love and His encouragement to show kindness to others, including Ephesians 4:32, ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’
During Dean Matt’s talk, children each took turns sharing about acts of kindness they had experienced.
Each school had designed and made bookmarks before the service, featuring encouraging prayers. These were then distributed and shared among schools as a symbol of unity and love for one another.
As the service concluded with prayers and a blessing, candles were lit for each school to pass on to the new year 2 children.
Banners and journeys at Year 6 Leavers Services
The services for children preparing to move to secondary school started with a procession of eye-catching banners that the children had created to showcase their school’s values and the theme of pilgrimage.
The children were treated to a drama from Riverside Performing Arts, highlighting their journey through primary to secondary school.
Through a series of comic “what if?” scenarios, Milly and Tilly shared some of the anxieties children face about moving to secondary school, such as getting lost, not fitting in and making mistakes.
The narrator gently redirected the focus from fear and panic towards trust, drawing on Joshua 1:9 and Proverbs 3:5–6.
Dean Matt said, “The central message was that although the next stage of life may feel unknown, the children do not face it alone. God is with them wherever they go, and God also works through the people around them — teachers, friends and supportive communities.
“Our prayer is that God would fill the children’s hearts with hope and confidence as they transition to their new schools.”
The children also heard talks from either Bishop Esther, Revd Sebrina Blackstock-Miller (Associate Vicar of Rea Church) or Revd Rachel Heathfield (Vicar of Quinton Parish Church).
The services ended with children processing out to ‘Every Step’, a song from Birmingham-based Worship for Everyone, reminding the children that God is with them on every step of the journey ahead.