It is very difficult to put into words what ‘spirituality’ actually is because it is a very personal experience. It differs from person to person, and spirituality often changes within people during their lifetime. Spirituality is not the same as having a religion or faith; a person can be spiritual without having a particular faith.

As a school, we have defined spirituality:

“Spirituality is not something we can see; it is something we feel inside ourselves and contributes to our sense of ‘being’. It is about awe and wonder, asking questions, inspiration and being aware of something ‘bigger’ outside of ourselves, but is not defined by a set of religious beliefs.”

When talking to children about spirituality, we will refer to:

• A sense of awe and wonder.
• Care for nature and living things.
• Wanting to love and to be loved by people.

Awe and Wonder

Children are born inquisitive, and it is our duty to nurture this natural curiosity and guide them towards looking at the world and noticing, with awe and wonder, the natural and man-made delights all around us. We want to encourage them to ask ‘big questions’ about life, religion, nature, science and any other area of fascination.

Caring for Nature and Living Things

We provide many opportunities for children to learn about nature and the role they play in protecting our world. As a Church School, this is especially important. We are keen outdoor learners and enjoy spending time in our Peace Garden for a range of purposes. We have provided bird feeders and boxes. Through our Pool Creative Curriculum, children learn about conservation, the world around them and how they can care for living things.

Love

We are a very caring school and pride ourselves on our family ethos. Through our core Values of Compassion, Perseverance, Respect and Wisdom, we teach children to care for friends, family and the community.

Children’s spiritual development is fostered through all aspects of our provision. It is about the relationships and the values that we consider to be important, as well as the development of knowledge, concepts, skills and attitudes. We give children opportunities to:

• Express personal beliefs and compare views with others, sharing feelings and opinions through discussions and stories.
• Begin developing their own system of beliefs which may or may not include religious beliefs.
• Experience a love of learning through rewarding their enthusiasm and by encouraging exploratory play and learning.
• Reflect upon the world around them and show a sense of awe and wonder towards aspects of the natural world or human achievement.
• Reflect on the situations of others through role play and stories.
• Experience a range of stories, music, art, drama and dance.