THERE are now, according to this informative and entertaining account of the Prayer Spaces in Schools initiative, 7000 such groups in 35 countries. It has evolved over several decades, and older readers will recognise antecedents in the 24-7 Prayer movement and even as far back as Youth for Christ.
While Sticky Note Prayers does not mention mindfulness, nor Sir Anthony Seldon’s long-established belief that well-being should be part of the curriculum, there are clear echoes of both in this project. In terms of the vision, little has changed from previous interventions in schools along the same lines. “The goal is a great relationship — an ongoing partnership between local Christians and the school community, from which all sorts of good fruit can grow.”
So, what’s new? Two features stand out. The clue is in the title. Space is crucial to the whole concept: not just anywhere in school, but a carefully created area, where there is innovative use of colour, fabrics, bean bags, writing materials, and the ubiquitous Post-it notes (renamed as sticky notes in this context). Pragmatic, as well as visionary, this account makes it clear that, on many occasions, you have to start by simply moving the desks, attempting to make the regular function of the room as unobtrusive as possible. It is not assumed that there will be a specially designated room. That will hardly ever be the case. Students arrive, curious and even sometimes hostile. From the outset, it is made clear that in these uncertain times, “It’s OK not to be OK.” Then the students may spot some unusual features: the empty chair very obviously set apart in the corner; the separated zips on a table; a mirror; and two large cardboard boxes; a clothes line, even.
Why an empty chair? It represents bereavement. Often there will be a student or students who have recently had to cope with the loss of a grandparent or family member. A sticky note attached can express how you feel. And the zips: at the heart of the Christian message is reconciliation. Why are my parents always fighting is a common theme. Join the zips and maybe pray with a sticky note. Sit in the cardboard box and imagine that you are the homeless person you saw in the town centre recently. And, just in case you are wondering, safeguarding is a top priority, just as it should be.
Dennis Richards is a former head of St Aidan’s C of E High School, Harrogate, in North Yorkshire.
Sticky Note Prayers: How prayer spaces in schools are changing young lives
Phil Sokell-Miles
Hodder & Stoughton £14.99
(978-1-399-82568-9)
Church Times Bookshop £13.49
