1,000 young people at Archbishop Sentamu Academy explored the eternal truths of Christmas at the Academy's Advent Prayer Spaces. Students in Year 7, 8 and 9 have all had the opportunity to access Advent Prayer Spaces in the Academy chapel during the last couple of weeks, participating in an experience of prayer and reflection.

Academy Chaplin the Revd Anne Richards writes, "With the support of RE staff, and visitors from several local churches, the Chaplaincy Team and the Eden Team have facilitated a creative space for students to revisit the nativity and get down to the essentials. They had the opportunity to consider the Refugee situation and pray about it, to think about personal hopes and dreams and contribute to a collaborative piece of art, as well as write prayers on a prayer wall, and pray in silence in front of the crib and the cross.

"We also invited them to light candles and reflect on what it means to think about Jesus as the Light of the World. The Prayer Spaces have opened up opportunities for conversations about God with staff and students, pastoral opportunities and perhaps most importantly a safe space for students to express their hearts and minds. We also extended the invitation to year 6 Classes from St James Primary Academy and St Richards Academy (RC)."

Volunteers included Ben Baker from Eden Sheffield who said, "Archbishop Sentamu Academy prayer space provides an excellent place and opportunity for pupils and staff to encounter the teachings of the Bible and explore their own prayer time with God. I have been encouraged that prayer responses have increasingly become directed to God since the first prayer space I was involved in and how sincere and personal many of the responses were. Prayer space serves a great purpose in its own right and could also be part of further steps for pupils to grow in their understanding and relationship with the message and person of Jesus Christ".