Spirituality Guidance

What is Spirituality?

At Ashlands C of E Primary School, spirituality is an important part of who we are. It helps children grow in every way—learning new things, understanding their feelings, and knowing right from wrong. Spirituality also helps them feel connected to themselves, their friends, the world around them, and God. With this strong foundation, they are encouraged to make a positive difference in their community.

At our school, we believe that spirituality is an important part of growing and living a full and happy life. It helps children develop important qualities like independence, compassion, resilience, responsibility, and wellbeing. Spirituality also helps them understand themselves better, care for others, and see how their choices and actions affect themselves, other people and the  world around them.

Spirituality and religious faith are not the same thing, but spirituality is like the strong foundation that helps faith grow.

How do our children understand Spirituality?

Whilst we recognise Spirituality can have many definitions, we have an agreed explanation so it can be understood and explored with our pupils.

Spirituality is about how we experience life and the connections we make—with ourselves, others, the world, and something greater, like God. It helps us see the bigger picture, ask questions, and explore new ideas. Most of all, it reminds us that we are all special and important in our own unique way.

 Our pupils understand that by caring for their relationships with themselves, others, the world, and a higher power, they can grow in every way. This helps them find inner peace, purpose, and happiness.  We understand this relational awareness as looking “In, Out and Up” 

We think of this awareness as looking “In, Out, and Up”

Looking in to understand ourselves.

Looking out to connect with others and the world.

Looking up to seek something greater. (Awe, Wonder, Creation, God)         (Paul Rusby)

 

 We connect to In, Out, and Up to our School Vision;

🌟 Love of Learning – Looking In to discover and grow.
🌍 Love of Life – Looking Out to connect with the world around us.
❤️ Love of One Another – Looking Up to find guidance and inspiration.

This helps us live with kindness, purpose, and joy every day!

We understand that everyone is at a different stage in their spiritual journey. That’s why we create a safe, open, and welcoming space where children and teachers can ask questions, explore ideas, and learn together—without fear of being judged.

Through our Spiritual Development we aim to grow our hearts and minds

We want children and grown-ups to grow in their hearts and minds by:

  • Being guided by their beliefs and values and standing up for what is right.
  • Understanding their own feelings and caring about others in school and the community.
  • Loving and looking after themselves, believing they can do great things, and finding strength when things get tough.
  • Using their imagination, enjoying creativity, and noticing the beauty and wonder in the world.
  • Being curious about life’s mysteries and open to thinking about the bigger picture.
  • Enjoying quiet moments for thinking, praying, mediation, or just being still.
  • Saying sorry when they make mistakes, forgiving themselves, and forgiving others.
  • Being brave to try new things, learning from both successes and mistakes.
  • Asking big questions about life with an open and curious mind.
  • Being thankful for the good things, like family and friends, and showing kindness and generosity to others.

How do we achieve this at Ashlands CofE Primary?

Spirituality weaves through every aspect of life at our school, permeating our vision, culture, and daily practices. At the heart of our school community, spirituality ignites a journey of self-discovery, empathy, and growth, empowering each individual to flourish and shine their light brightly in service to others.

  • Our pupils have enquiring minds and want to learn about themselves, others and the world. We have a safe, caring environment where children feel safe to ask questions and explore their thoughts. Pupils value learning and enjoy questioning, listening, and responding creatively across a range of subjects.
  • We offer an ambitious and broad curriculum which gives all children the opportunities to ignite their interests and talents. Equally rich spiritual opportunities exist across the curriculum for all children at every age.
  • We have high expectations of all our children. High quality teaching skilfully supports our pupils to deepen their understanding and engage in questioning that goes beyond mere facts or information.
  • Each subject has been designed with opportunities for spiritual development in mind. For example, in English, texts will be chosen which pose ethical questions (example here please). Teachers are committed to ensuring that learning is filled with moments of awe and wonder.
  • Pupils have opportunities to be creative and imaginative. For example: art, music, storytelling, and poetry provide children with opportunities to express themselves authentically, tapping into their inner thoughts, emotions, and spiritual experiences.
  • Outdoor learning connects children with the natural world, encouraging awe, wonder, and appreciation for creation.
  • Our RE curriculum explores beliefs, values, and traditions from Christianity and other faiths, encouraging reflection and understanding. In lessons, pupils contemplate big questions about life, purpose, and existence, and consider their own beliefs, values, and perspectives. Through spiritual inquiry, children learn to critically reflect on their experiences, challenge assumptions, and seek answers. This fosters curiosity, emotional intelligence and moral reasoning, which empowers them to become lifelong learners and compassionate, thoughtful individuals.
  • Our daily acts of worship welcome everyone and accommodate diverse faith backgrounds and varying spiritual journeys.  Through collective worship, pupils explore the teachings of Jesus and the Bible, reflecting on the significance to the world today and in their own lives. Opportunities to reflect on the beauty, joy and pain of the world will be given. Pupils will be given time to consider their responsibilities to others and to grow in love and service.  These experiences support students in growing spiritually, helping them discover their identity, purpose, and connection to something bigger. Our Christian Values of Trust, Respect, Friendship, Forgiveness, Compassion and Aspiration, which are rooted in Love are discussed frequently. Acts of worship are led by all staff or visitors.
  • We have close links with St Bartholomew’s Church. We celebrate significant events in the Christian calendar in church and our vicar, CJ, regularly leads worships at school.
  • We explore diverse cultures, traditions, and belief systems through our celebration of festivals from different faiths and cultures, and ensure a global awareness and multicultural focus through Picture News and the curriculum which fosters respect for diversity and interconnectedness.
  • Pupils enjoy links with the community, such as the choir performing at care homes and pupils interviewing older residences about history. We invite the community to plays and to talk about their careers. Some local residents volunteer in school.
  • Pupils engage in acts of kindness and service within the school community and beyond, cultivating empathy, compassion, and a sense of social responsibility (e.g. fundraising for school charity, litter picking at the local park).
  • We offer a wide range of extra-curricular clubs which encompasses sports, languages, Art and DT, computing, love of reading, and introduce new ones according to pupil voice.
  • Pupils are given leadership positions such as School Councillors, Online Leads, House Captains and Play Leaders.
  • There are spaces across the school which encourage children to be still and reflect in nature.
  • Our policies reflect our values and ethos which promote spiritual growth. For example, our Behaviour policy promotes compassion, empathy and respect. We seek for children to make amends and experience forgiveness through our behaviour approach.
  • We celebrate children’s achievements through displays, team points, proud walls, Green Leaves, star of the day, performances to other pupils and parents. Children are encouraged to flourish in all different ways.
  • Each classroom has a reflection area which acts as a space where the class can come together and reflect. Displays reflect Bible stories and our Christian values.
  • Our Trustees and governors uphold our Trustees and governors provide guidance and oversight to ensure that the school’s ethos and values, including its spiritual dimension, are upheld and promoted effectively.