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    • Spirituality at Harrietsham

    Spirituality at Harrietsham Church of England Primary School

    Our vision is rooted in our school community flourishing in all sense of the word – sowing, growing, and deepening their God-given potential, in order ‘that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10).  The development of the whole child, in body, mind and spirit, is at the centre of our school purpose.  For us, spirituality is the opening of hearts and minds, through reflection, and the questioning of the world.

     

    What is Spirituality?

    Spirituality at Harrietsham opens us to life and to each other through our relationships, individuality and our awareness and wonder beyond our visible world.  

    It is a thread which runs through our lives, bringing purpose, identity and belonging and the values by which we live.

     

    Our Aims as a Spiritually Supportive School

    We aim to be a caring, inspiring and safe school community where:

    • Respect and Love: Our children feel respected, understood, and loved.
    • Meaning and purpose: Our children develop a deep sense of self-worth, belonging, meaning and purpose
    • Wonder: Our children develop a sense of wonder, a love of knowledge and a reverence for the mystery of being.
    • Inner life and self-care – Our children learn to care for their heart, their deep inner core, as well as their body and mind.
    • Moral development: Our children learn the meaning of freedom, self-discipline, and moral responsibility
    • Caring relationships: Our children's capacity to form and sustain caring relationships is cultivated
    • Democracy and social justice: Our children study, and put into practice, democratic ideals and principles of social justice.
    • Compassion and service: Our children honour generosity of spirit, compassion, and service to the community.
    • Connection to nature: Our children respect and care for the greater community of life and the environment.
    • Joy/whole being: Our children experience the joy that creativity and the blooming of one’s whole being can bring.

     

    Teaching Approaches used for Spirituality

    To support everyone’s spiritual development at Harrietsham Church of England Primary School, we use the common language developed by Liz Mills of ‘windows, mirrors, and doors’.  These visuals provide opportunities for questioning and experiences for everyone to reflect outwardly, inwardly, and beyond.

    Windows

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    Mirrors

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    Doors

    Double Click To Change The Link

     We also use this format of Windows, Mirrors and Doors within our Collective Worship.

     

    How do we Nurture Spirituality?

    Spirituality is a very personal experience – it differs from person to person, and often spirituality 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.

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

    Children’s spiritual development is nurtured through all aspects of school life. 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 achievement.

    • Reflect on the situations of others through role-play, stories.

    • Experience a range of stories, music, art, drama and dance.

     

    The role of our School Community

    All members of our school community have a responsibility for helping to nurture children’s spiritual development. 

    Our Staff

    Our school staff do this through:

    • Establishing and maintaining a partnership between pupils, parents and staff; recognising and respecting the faith background of our children and their families;

    • Taking part in, and supporting, collective acts of worship;

    • Being good role models in their conduct towards other members of the community;

    • Promoting an attitude of respect for other people and for others’ views;

    • Nurturing consideration for, and generosity towards, others.

    • Drawing on the experiences of pupils and their families during religious education lessons and beyond;

    • Recognising and being constantly aware of the needs and backgrounds of each individual pupil;

    • Being willing to develop their own knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith and the faiths of others;

    • Having a positive attitude to the value of spiritual education.

    Our Children

    Our children do this through:

    • Taking an active part in acts of collective worship;

    • Participating in activities which promote engagement in, examination of, and reflection upon, religious belief and practice;

    • Conducting themselves towards others considerately, in line with our school values;

    • Respecting the views and beliefs of others.

    Our Families

    Our families can help through:

    • Adopting a positive attitude to the value of spiritual education;

    • Supporting the school’s Christian ethos and acts of community worship, such as assemblies and church services;

    • Respecting the views and beliefs of others.

     

    Our Spirituality Curriculum

    Spirituality forms part of our Personal Development Curriculum.

     

    Spirituality Leadership

    Mrs Wells is our Collective Worship and Spirituality Leader.  For more information about Collective Worship and Spirituality at our school, please contact her via the school office.

     

     

    Supporting your child's Spiritual Development

    The link below shows a short video which offers guidance on how to best support your child's spiritual development.

     

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