At the same time as Ofsted is requiring schools to make every effort to provide a daily act of collective workshop ( TES report, January 30), the Government is requesting their help in combating juvenile crime.

Many themes in the citizenship programme are also traditionally a focus in collective workship, such as freedom and responsibility, rights and responsibiities, school and community, neighbours.

Using this source to develop a programme of themes for assemblies would support the citizenship programme by teaching pupils their place in society and responsibility to the local community within a basically Christian context, which would provide a positive way of tackling the growing problem of anti-social and destructive behaviour by young people, while helping governors to fulfil their statutory responsibilities.

Rev John D Brown
3 Manor Way
Middleton-on-Sea
West Sussexnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;