Spirituality is not something we can see; it is something we feel inside ourselves. It is about awe and wonder, asking questions, inspiration and being aware of something ‘bigger’ outside of ourselves.

It differs from person to person and often spirituality changes within people during their lifetime.

In our school the language we use when defining spirituality will refer to:-

• a sense of awe and wonder
• caring for nature and 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 have a very active Eco Committee. Through science and topic work, children learn about the world and how they can care for living things. Our School is working towards being awarded the Eco Schools Silver Award. We have worked with the Woodland Trust to plant a new hedgerow and planted bulbs on site and in the local area with members of the community.

Love

We are a very caring school and pride ourselves on our ethos of family. Through our Christian Values we teach children to care for friends, family and the community.  Indeed our SCARF and RE curriculums include learning about those we love and who love us. We hold annual Mother’s Day and Father’s Day events in school to celebrate the special people in our children’s lives. We also offer other family events throughout the school year so children can learn with their family in school.

How is Spirituality Nurtured?

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 to develop 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 achievements
• Reflect on the situations of others through role play, stories
• Experience a range of stories, music, art, drama and dance