Themes
Teamwork; collaboration; building relationships; helping others.
Summary
This assembly framework for primary schools uses a short video to consider the theme of teamwork – it is part of a collection celebrating 'school values'. Pupils will reflect on the importance of working collaboratively to achieve shared goals and understand the value of everyone’s contribution to the group.
The video
Rhys:
Teamwork means working together. This could be to solve a problem, or achieve a shared goal. Teamwork can make a job easier because you're not trying to do something all by yourself. Have you ever worked in a team?
Child 1:
Me and my sister use teamwork while cleaning the house together.
Child 2:
My rugby team always pulled together to score a try.
Child 3:
What I love about teamwork is that everybody has your back and they'll always be kind to you.
Child 4:
I showed teamwork when I helped my friends score a goal in my football team.
Child 5:
I like to use teamwork so that nobody's ideas are left out and no one gets excluded.
Child 6:
I used teamwork to figure out a puzzle with my friend.
Child 7:
I always use teamwork on sports day when we're doing the relay race.
Child 8:
I use teamwork when I pass the ball to my friends when I play football.
Rhys:
All great examples of teamwork. We're all members of lots of different teams in our lives. Take me, I couldn't make this video all by myself, this is our filming team! Our classes at school are a team of sorts and so are our families. Everyone has to do their part to make the team work as a whole. Helping each other, sharing ideas and doing your part will help your team to succeed,and help you to build important skills, like listening, understanding and leadership. Here's how Connor used teamwork to help someone in need.
Connor:
I'm Connor. My neighbour Mrs Price used to have the tallest sunflowers on the street! But gardening is hard for her now. When she had to go to the hospital for a few weeks, I wanted to do something nice for her. I asked her daughter Louise if I could fix up Mrs Price's garden as a surprise. Louise loved the idea, but thought it was far too much for work for one person and unfortunately, she was right. So, I asked for help. A garden takes a lot of work. So, we've decided we're all going to work as a team to help Mrs Price take care of it.
Rhys:
Connor's story shows us that with teamwork, you can tackle bigger projects that you might not have been able to do on your own. By working together, we can achieve great things. Teamwork can also help us to build friendships, by working alongside others towards the same goal. Liv is a lacrosse player, and teamwork is important to her both on the pitch and off.
Liv:
Hi I'm Liv, and I play a sport called lacrosse for Team England and Team GB and I've competed all over the world. I think teamwork is really important to achieve a goal, because everyone in a team has different strengths. Lacrosse is going to be included in the next Olympic games, so it's really important that we work together as a team to achieve our goal of being Olympians together. My team is my support system both on and off the pitch.
I was quite badly injured during a game, and my teammates were the first to come over to see if I was ok. But your teammates don't stop being your teammates when the final whistle blows. My teammates are some of my closest friends, and their support helped me take the time to recover and ultimately get back on the pitch with them. Some of my team I've known and played with for 10 years, we started off not knowing each other at all, then became teammates, and now are some of my best friends. I think it's important to understand that everyone within a team can take on a different role to best suit their own skills. It's good to learn from one another, listen and encourage each other, and lift your teammates up. A good team leads to success.
Rhys:
Finding your own team doesn't have to be in sport, you can work with others on whatever you're passionate about. You can show good teamwork by helping, listening and sharing. And it's important to remember that it takes every single player to make a good team. As a team, we can make big things happen. How can you be a good team player today?
Video summary
Presenter Rhys Stephenson defines the theme of teamwork and asks children to consider the word’s meaning, followed by a group of children describing what it means to them. Rhys expands on those ideas and a short animation provides an example with a story about Connor, who wants to help his elderly neighbour but realises he can’t do it on his own.
Rhys then provides some practical advice and introduces Liv Thomas, a lacrosse player for Team England and Team GB, who describes how she is supported by her teammates and how they work together to achieve their shared goals.
Resources
Assembly framework (PDF) document
A suggested framework to download/print
Image: Teamwork. image
Click to display the image full-size
Suggested assembly framework
1. As the pupils enter
Play your chosen music – perhaps from this collection of songs to support assemblies and Collective Worship, each with lyrics on screen and backing tracks.
2. Introduction
Engaging question
"Have you ever worked with others to achieve something? What makes teamwork work well?"
Set the scene
Explain that today’s assembly is about teamwork—what it looks like, why it matters, and how we can all be better team players.
Link to National Curriculum
Highlight how the theme of teamwork connects to:
- PSHE: Building relationships and working collaboratively.
- PE: Collaborating in team sports and activities.
- English: Communicating effectively within a group.
- Art and Music: Using teamwork to create and perform.
3. The video
You may choose to watch the video either in its entirety or in sections with pauses to allow you to personalise the assembly as you go.
Play the video and encourage pupils to watch for:
- How the characters work together to overcome challenges.
- The moments where teamwork makes a difference.
- The strengths of each character and how these contribute to the team’s success.
- What pupils take away from hearing the real-life stories of developing confidence.
Pause the video at 00:54 and ask pupils to think about a team they are a part of. What does being a good team look and feel like?
Resume the video and pause at 02:20 to discuss Connor’s story.
- What challenges did the Connor face in the film?
- How did working together help him to succeed in helping Mrs Price?
- What strengths did Connor and others bring to the group?
Resume the video until the end and discuss Liv’s story.
- What sport does she play?
- Why does Liv think teamwork is so important?
- How does Liv’s team support her?
- How can we show good teamwork in school and beyond?
This is an opportunity to introduce someone from your own school community who has a story that demonstrates the value of Teamwork.
4. After the video – time to talk
Key questions for reflection:
- What challenges did the Connor face in the film?
- How did working together help him to succeed in helping Mrs Price?
- What strengths did Connor and others bring to the group?
- What sport does she play?
- Why does Liv think teamwork is so important?
- How does Liv’s team support her?
- How can we show good teamwork in school and beyond?
Interactive activity:
Use a ‘think, pair, share’ format:
Think: Pupils reflect individually.
Pair: Discuss their thoughts with a partner.
Share: Invite pairs to share their insights with the assembly.
Reinforce teamwork themes:
Highlight that teamwork is about listening, sharing ideas, and helping one another succeed.Encourage collaboration:
Emphasise that everyone has unique strengths to contribute to a team.Connect to PSHE:
Discuss how teamwork strengthens relationships and helps achieve shared goals, supporting Relationships Education objectives.
5. Opportunity for reflection/prayer
Ask each pupil to think of a "Teamwork Goal" for the week, such as:
- Helping a classmate with their learning.
- Being a good listener in group work.
- Encouraging others during a team activity.
End the session with a positive phrase that emphasises the value of teamwork, such as:
"Teamwork is about working together, sharing strengths, and helping everyone succeed. Together, we can achieve more!"
More assemblies based around primary school values
Confidence. video
An assembly framework and video exploring the theme of confidence. Pupils will learn how belief in themselves, encouragement, and perseverance can help overcome challenges.
Courage. video
An assembly and short video exploring the theme of courage. Pupils will reflect on what it means to face fears, overcome challenges, and support others in their moments of bravery.
Compassion. video
An assembly framework and short video exploring the theme of compassion. Pupils will reflect on the importance of kindness, understanding, and supporting others.
Commitment. video
An assembly framework and short video exploring the theme of commitment. Pupils will learn how dedication, focus, and perseverance help achieve goals, even when faced with challenges.
Friendship. video
An assembly framework and short film exploring the theme of friendship. Pupils will reflect on the qualities of good friends, how to build strong relationships, and how friendships can help us navigate challenges.
