IT’S a Tuesday lunchtime and Nick Taylor opens a door leading from a classroom into the playground. Already there are pupils queuing up for his session.

Any pupil can come in and take part. In this case, it involves writing prayers and turning them into paper aeroplanes that can be symbolically thrown through hoops. On another day it could be writing letters to people in care homes to show they are valued.

Nick is the Flourish worker at Horndean C of E Junior School, and the Tuesday lunchtime drop-in session allows pupils to engage with an aspect of prayer and spirituality. He also leads a weekly group for those taking the Archbishops’ Youth Leaders Award, and held all-age events in school over half-term for children and their parents.

As he discovers those who are keenest on the Christian faith, he’ll invite them to be part of a regular voluntary worshipping community after Easter. It's all part of our diocese's Flourish initiative that has seen four Flourish workers working in CofE schools across our diocese, including at The Bay CofE School in Sandown and Bembridge CofE Primary - both on the Isle of Wight.

Nick said: “We’ve also set up a station in a gazebo near the school entrance on a Tuesday where we can pray for staff, parents and children, if they would like us to.

“Ultimately when we form a worshipping community, it will be up to the pupils to decide how they’d like to worship. I’m excited about the project, not just about reaching the children but also reaching their parents.”

Imogen Hale, aged nine, said: "I like being here because Mr Taylor is really fun. Sometimes it's a bit silly but it helps us to learn about God. Like making paper aeroplanes, writing a prayer on them first and then throwing them through a hoop."

And classmate Leela Pereira, also aged nine, said: "I do like the activities that we do. I've never missed it."