Spirituality

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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.

At Christ Church we use age appropriate language to define spirituality, so when talking to our children we will refer to a sense of awe and wonder – including a sense of fascination and enjoyment in learning about themselves, others and the world around them including caring for nature and living things. We use imagination and creativity in their learning and a willingness to reflect on their experiences to help children make sense of the world around them.

In order to support spiritual development in school, we encourage the use of certain approaches. These include:

  • Use of candles for reflection.

  • Listening to and creating music to aid thinking/reflection.

  • Prayer

  • Reflecting on the outstanding beauty in our world – awe and wonder

  • Guided visualisation

  • Responding to ‘big questions’ about life and living, raised by the teachers

  • Asking ‘big questions’ about life and living, raised by the children/young people

  • Use of a reflection/spiritual focus/space in the classrooms.

  • A good starting point to learn about spirituality is to think of Windows, Mirrors and Doors:

Windows - Giving pupils opportunities to become aware of the world in new ways. Learning about life in all its fullness. This includes both the things that amaze them and also challenge them.

Mirrors - Giving pupils opportunities to reflect upon their experiences. To meditate on life’s big questions and to consider some possible answers. Learning from life, by exploring their own insights and perspectives and those of others.

Doors - Giving pupils opportunities to respond, to do something creative in order to express, apply and further develop their thoughts and convictions. Learning to live by putting into action their beliefs and values.

We aim to give our children opportunities to explore spirituality across many areas. The sense of awe and wonder in our world and our own place in it leads to many of life’s biggest questions, such as: “Why are we here?”. The P4C (Philosophy for Learning) sessions that are part of our school practice and provision, give children plenty of opportunities to explore these.