Spirituality

Our staff and governors have discussed and agreed a definition of spirituality that is attached here. The overall definition of spirituality is as laid out below:

“The spirit’s presence is shown in each person for the good of all” 1 Corinthians 12:7. Reflecting this, our federation vision “For the good of all, through curiosity, creativity and love”, is at the core of our schools, our learning and our care for each other.

As church schools, our Christian vision underpins all that we do and spirituality in all its aspects permeates school life, whatever the faith, or none, of the child.

What is Spirituality?

Spirituality is something which is beyond words: the nurture and flourishing of an individual’s spirit, their innermost being. It is a personal experience and very individual - a sense of the mystery of life. As a federation we nurture Spirituality because we believe it is a connection to something deeper; about awe and wonder, inspiration and reflection, enquiry and open- mindedness that bring an extra personal dimension to the one precious life we have.

Developing Spirituality:

Opportunities for enhancing spiritual well-being are developed in every aspect of our school life, because spirituality affects a person’s relationship with themselves - with others - with our world - and beyond our world. These four elements underpin our approach and are as individual as each child is. In Collective Worship, across the curriculum including R.E. and in the everyday life of the schools, we try to create and to build on these opportunities because “For a human being, especially a child or young person, to have a full quality of life, spirituality in all its aspects must be nurtured and affirmed” John Bradford.

Self:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” Romans 12:2

• Acknowledging feelings and sensitivities; our ability to consider and to express
• Appreciating our uniqueness and being happy with who we are
• Taking time to just ‘be’, to think, and to draw close to God within us
• Curiosity and open-mindedness to explore our beliefs and ideas and try to discover more about ourselves
• Developing imagination and creativity
• Learning to give and receive love
• Identifying God dwelling within ourselves

Others:

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

• Taking time to consider our responsibilities to others, and to grow in love and service
• Recognising and celebrating respect and trust, freedom, diversity and equality
• Enjoying and being fascinated by working with and learning from others
• Gaining knowledge and respect for the faiths, feelings and values of others
• Appreciating that it is possible to make a difference to the lives of others
• Knowing we each have a special, God-chosen place within the whole order of things
• Recognising and responding to the knowledge that we are all God’s children

Our World:

“And God saw everything that He had made, and it was very good” Genesis 1:31

• Being curious about our place in the world and about life elsewhere
• Appreciating the beauty and wonder of God’s creation – His gift to each one of us
• Taking time for what really matters - thinking about the past, present and future
• Appreciating the miracles of our natural world - how it feeds our soul as well as our bodies with all that it offers…and that it comes with the responsibility to cherish it
• Feeling the joy that creativity through art, music, sport, literature, drama etc brings
• Discovering the goodness of God in our world

Beyond Our World:

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” James 3:17

• Being curious about the meaning of life and having the confidence to think and ask ‘Big Questions’
• Trying to make sense of the world by asking challenging questions that sometimes can’t be answered
• Exploring spiritual questions
• In those special spiritual moments gaining a sense of something beyond the ‘tangible’
• Having opportunities to pray and to find God in all things, and to understand that He is ‘knowable’

Impact and Evaluation:

Our vision promotes spiritual development across the federation. Opportunities to enhance spiritual wellbeing happen daily, often spontaneously, and are developed in every aspect of school life. Children feel supported and nurtured as they grow in spiritual confidence, increasingly aware of their own uniqueness, value and capability.

They care about each other, showing kindness, empathy, compassion and a desire to do what is right, working harmoniously in our schools’ community. There is respect and trust between adults and children. They become curious and imaginative learners, enjoying exploring the spiritual dimension of all their subjects and expressing themselves creatively in every aspect of school life.