Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the ninja-forms domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/sites/greathamceprimary.org.uk/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114 Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/sites/greathamceprimary.org.uk/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114 Spirituality - Greatham CE Primary School

Spirituality

What Is Spirituality?

Spirituality is a very personal experience. It differs from person to person, and often spirituality changes within people during their lifetime. 

Spirituality is a core component to ‘living life in all its fullness’ as the mind, body and soul
needs to be nurtured equally.

As a Church of England school, it is essential that we educate and develop the whole child ensuring Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural development. We explore Spirituality by providing our children with opportunities to be still and reflect. Spirituality enables all children at Greatham to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life; give knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values; create a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them; enable them to use their imagination and creativity in their learning; and provide a willingness to reflect on their experiences.

What does Spirituality mean for our children?

To be in touch with your spiritual self means that you are self aware.  Spirituality requires reflection, questioning and engagement with ideas.  If we can encourage the children’s spiritual being then we can enhance their self esteem, we can improve their empathy and relationships, we can allow them to find their place in the world, to value others and themselves.  

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:

  • Pray and experience opportunities of stillness and reflection. We regularly incorporate time for our children to interact with prayer spaces.
  • Express personal beliefs and compare views with others, sharing feelings and opinions through discussions and stories.
  • 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, stories.
  • Experience a range of stories, music, art, drama and dance to ignite their imaginations and creativity.
  • Participate in a daily act of Collective Worship.
  • Have a minute silence at the beginning of Collective Worship for reflection.
  • A weekly act of Celebration Worship.
  • Reflection areas in each classroom throughout school to encourage children to quietly reflect and prayer throughout the day.
  • Regular visits to St John the Baptist Church to lead services.
  • Teaching morals through our School Values of Love, Hope, Forgiveness, Peace, Trust
  • Our outdoor prayer space where children have the time to ‘Read, Relax and Reflect.’
  • Forest School initiative offer opportunities for Awe and Wonder
  • Our Random Acts of Kindness.
  • Use the concept of ‘Windows, Mirrors and Doors’ to develop spirituality throughout worships and the curriculum.
  • Looking at the world in new ways, looking out into the world and encountering and experiencing God (windows) We gaze out through windows onto the world, responding with our emotions and trying to make sense of what we see.
  • Reflecting on their own experience (mirrors) We use mirrors to reflect on our thoughts and feelings, and how what we see through the window connects with our inner selves, and how we connect with what we see and understand.
  • Ways to respond, to be more and to make a difference (doors). This becomes a spiritual experience when it transforms us and so we walk out through the door into life differently from before.