We ran our first Pre SATs Prayer Space with a Yr 6 class from a local primary school.  This came under the umbrella of a pilot research initiative that I’ve been involved with called Prayerfully Learning Together.

We wanted to give the pupils an opportunity to have a relaxing and encouraging experience to help them get into a positive mindset for their SATs which would be a few days later.  The zones were planned in a way to achieve this, but also at the same time, to not make too huge a focus on the SATs.  Apart from the introduction and one zone where pupils could pray about their SATs, the others zones were essentially generic topics you could include in other prayer spaces but they were chosen in order to contribute to a holistic way of looking at SATs such as encouraging advice, being thankful, a chance to rest, and thinking through what is truly important.

Zone 1:  Encouragement Corner—children considered what would be encouraging for another pupil and pegged it on to a washing line. At the end of the session pupils could go back to the Encouragement Corner and take home an encouragement (written by a different pupil) that they thought would help them with their SATs week.

Zone 2:  SATs  – Pupils reflected on how they feel about SATs and had an opportunity to pray if they wanted to with options of using candles, inflatable microphones or writing on speech bubbles.

Zone 3 Plate—Pupils drew some favourite foods onto a paper plate and then thought about what else (non food) they have in their life and to express gratefulness for these.  They then considered if they have anything they could share with others and how they could do this. 

Zone 4  Pillow—Pillows were available for pupils to lie down and rest on.  Pupils reflected on what they need rest from.  Pillows are also soft and cuddly.  Pupils reflected on times when they need a hug.  Pupils could imagine having a hug with the loved one or/and choose to imagine having a hug with Jesus.  Pupils could either just think or write their thoughts down and put them into the pillowcases.

Zone 5: Ruler  – Rulers are used to underline and emphasise certain words. They underline important words and the parts to draw our attention towards.   Pupils reflected on what they think it truly important in life.  Pupils had to  write these down and underline.  Pupils also reflected on what they thought was truly important to parents, God, and teachers and underlined their idea.

We also experimented in the Prayer Space style – often our Prayer Spaces are guided, each group going to a specified zone then moving around the carousel of Prayer activities.  On this occasion we did Zone 1 as whole class (Encouragement Corner) then for the other zones pupils could choose where to go and when.  They were told they didn’t have to aim to complete all the zones, but to get focused into a zone and then when felt had had enough time there to reflect fully then move to another zone.  

We usually ask a small sample of pupils to give feedback but on this occasion we got the whole class to complete a feedback form.  Here are some highlights:

How did you find the approach of choosing what Zone to go to? Choose all relevant.

Distracting x 1   Focused x 16      Liked it x 19          Didn’t like it x0                   

In depth x 2                            Confusing x 3                        Fun x 19                       Relaxed x 20                     

Rushed x 1                  Independent x13 Felt missed out on some zones x 1  

Has the Prayer Space affected how you feel about the SATs?

• Yes, it really calmed me down and made me release stress about SATs.
• Not really but it was fun and calming.
• Yes, I feel more confident going into it now.
• It made me feel a bit more calm about it by hearing encouraging things.
• Kind of because, although, I give a bunch of positive notes and quotes to people, I can’t always take them into mind.
• Yes, it calms you down to get ready.
• No, I’m not scared.
• No, because I was never scared about taking them.
• Yes, it made me feel encouraged.
• Sort of, it was fun and relaxing.
• That is had eased my mind on SATs.
• Kind of because I’m still worrying but not as much.
• It helped me focus on what I need.

What has the Prayer Space made you think about?

• Food, sleep
• It has made me think about being kind.
• How it doesn’t really matter.
• That SATs aren’t bad.
• Relaxation.
• That I will be fine in my SATs.
• Nice things.  God and stuff.
• How to treat other people fairly.
• God.
• You don’t need to worry.
• The SATs aren’t scary.
• That wherever I am God is with us.
• Less stress and more relaxation.
• Be happy, don’t worry.
• Family.
• SATs isn’t that scary.
• Don’t feel stressed and feel relaxed.
• Not to worry about SATs

The Head teacher informed me of the impact of this saying that their Yr 6 class were a particularly anxious class yet they seemed very calm during the SATs week and also got better results than what the school anticipated! So the effect of the Prayer Space seemed to cross over into their SATs week which is great to hear. They now would like the pre SATs prayer space to be a new feature in the school diary.