Anglican churches across the UK are being urged to buy a new resource for their local school, in the hope of bringing an end to decades of assemblies where pupils may be put off Christianity for life.

The Damaris Trust has just launched Assembliesonline.com, a subscription-based website from which teachers can download up-to-the minute assemblies and resources to link the cultural world of today's children with the world of the Bible.

Nick Pollard, founder and director of The Damaris Trust, said: "Schools have a legal requirement to hold daily acts of worship. Many flout the law, whilst in others, they are dull and boring. This is not always the fault of the teacher, but it is a serious issue as this is often the only experience many children in the UK have of reflection or worship of broadly Christian character.

|QUOTE|"Many teachers are overworked, under-resourced and simply do not have time to devise assembly plans and put together the resources they need for daily or weekly assemblies to capture the imagination of pupils."

The Damaris Trust, a Christian charity based in Southampton, specialises in providing innovative resources for schools, helping teachers promote spiritual development through resources that encourage reflective and critical thinking skills, using the latest films, music and TV.

Pollard explained, "Assembliesonline.com offers a wealth of material, constantly updated and linking today's music charts, films, celebrities and topical issues to biblical themes. It is also completely in line with the National Curriculum, and looks at key Citizenship issues throughout the year."

Nick says at just £100 per annum for a primary school subscription, the new resource is a vital investment in creating an appreciation of Christianity amongst Britain's children, but fears some schools will not have the funds to pay.

"What we are hoping for," he added, "is for every [denominational church] in the country to consider whether they could approach their local school and ask the headteacher if he or she would like them to sponsor a year's subscription. Many churches want to reach out to young people, and for once, here's a way that whatever resources they have, and whatever the age of the congregation, they can do it."

The Damaris Trust has harnessed the expertise of Christian teachers across the UK to write the resources for the website.