Spirituality Policy
Aims
Provision for the spiritual development of pupils includes developing their:
• ability to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life
• knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values
• sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
• use of imagination and creativity in their learning
• willingness to reflect on their experiences.
What does spirituality look like at Bishop Bridgeman?
Ethos leaders, staff and parents developed our own definition of what we consider to be spiritual. We feel spiritual development is “a way of getting to know yourself more, a way of getting to know others more and a way of getting to know God more.” We feel this applies to all faiths in our school. Through discipleship and developing your relationship with God. This policy is born and has developed out of years of work our children’s leaders have carried out, along with staff and the whole school community.
It is important to look at what makes us human, looking at our imagination, expression, curiosity and how comfortable we are with ourselves as well as others. When exploring spiritual development we allow children to ask questions, however big or small. No question is a silly question. We can grow and develop in our own spiritual development by trying to ‘walk a mile in someone else’s shoes’ to think how they might be feeling or experiencing things differently. At Bishop Bridgeman we encourage all children and adults to think about, explore, express and expand their thoughts and questions about life and things that are important to them. Reflection, prayer and worship are a vital tools to use in spiritual development. They provide a safe space, belonging and time to think through how we feel and how we respond to the world around us.
We live our core Christian values every day, in all that we do. Our values provide the building blocks for our spiritual development, supporting us in the WOW moments of our lives, NOW moments and the OW moments too! There are sooooooo many WOW moments in our lives at schools and at home! WOW moments can be found everywhere….. In the OW moments we support each other, listen to each other, allow people to be upset, restore friendships and build each other back up. The relationships we have with other children and adults are really important in our spiritual development as we explore what it means to trust others, love others and develop friendships with others. We learn to forgive and hope to be forgiven and think about the responsibility we have when others put their trust in us. At school we have a safe, loving environment to explore, make mistakes and learn!
At Bishop Bridgman we have developed a tool to support staff in planning opportunities for children to encounter spiritual experiences. We have looked at spiritual learners and for EYFS, KS1, Lower KS2 and Upper KS2 looked at 3 areas.
Spiritual Learners - Self awareness
Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the concept of self- the inner person and the way that this shapes an individual’s perception of themselves as a unique human being. Spiritual learners reflect on the relationship that they have with their sense of being a unique person.
Encounter: Learning about life. Providing openings for spiritual exploration through the investigation of identity and personal values.
Reflection: Learning from life. Understanding an inner meaning of self and identity – critical reasoning and big questions
Transformation: Learning to live. Responding as a means of expressing an idea of self, developing a personal set of beliefs.
Spiritual Learners - Others
Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the concept of others – a growing empathy, concern and compassion for how to treat others. Spiritual learners reflect on how their values and principles affect their relationships with others.
Encounter: Learning about life. Providing openings for spiritual growth. Recognising the values and worth of others.
Reflection: Learning from life. Understanding an awareness of the effect of others – a search for meaning, critical reasoning and big questions.
Transformation: Learning to live life. Responding as a means of expressing an idea of relationship with others, expressing innermost thoughts through words, art or actions.
Spiritual Learners - World and Beauty
Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the concept of a physical and creative world – a growing relationship with beauty through the ability to respond emotionally to experiences of the wonder of the natural world and the results of human creativity. Spiritual learners explore their understanding beauty and the affect this has on their perception of and relationship with the world.
Encounter: Learning about life. Providing openings for spiritual growth, challenging experiences of beauty.
Reflection: Learning from life. Reflecting on experience of beauty – a search for meaning, critical reasoning and big questions.
Transformation: Learning to live life. Responding as a means of expressing an idea of the meaning of beauty. Expressing innermost thoughts through words, art or actions. Being moved emotionally by beauty.
Spiritual Learners - Beyond
Spiritual learners became increasingly aware of the concept of the beyond – a growing relationship with the transcendental and the ability to explore experiences beyond the everyday. Spiritual learners search for meaning in their very existence and their place in the greater scheme of things.
Encounter: Learning about life. Providing openings for spiritual growth. A growing appreciation of the intangible- truth, love.
Reflection: Learning from life. Reflecting on the beyond – a search for meaning, critical reasoning and big questions.
Transformational: Learning to live life. Responding as a means of expressing the need to understand the purpose of life.
For more detail see Spirituality progression document
School Values
At Bolton Parish Church C of E Primary School our theologically rooted school values are central to the Christian ethos of our school. Our values are the Gospel values:
Faith, Hope and Love
Children learn how to demonstrate these values through worship, the whole curriculum and in all aspects of school life.
Spirituality Through the Curriculum
The spiritual growth of pupils is not only dependent on learning in RE, opportunities for enhancing the spiritual well-being of learners are developed in every aspect of our school life and the curriculum.
We support the whole school community to share this responsibility and to develop the shared language of spirituality. Opportunities are available for all to develop spiritually in our supportive and nurturing school inspired by our vision and Christian values.
As a school we have devoted a great deal of time to map out opportunities for spiritual encounters in all curriculum subjects, along with our vision.
All curriculum spirituality/vision through the curriculum plans for each subject can be found on the Vision in the curriculum page click the button.
Spirituality and Collective Worship
Collective Worship is the beating heart of Bishop Bridgeman Church of England Primary School. It provides the opportunity for our school community to share experiences, ideas and understanding. It is the context in which the language of spirituality, which we use as a school, is regularly and explicitly shared.
Collective Worship provides the opportunity for pupils to become aware of the importance of reflection and how our positive and negative experiences can be formative. It also provides a real sense of being present (now moments) which are often linked to invitations to pray.
Through daily Collective Worship, pupils are offered a space and a place for hearing the Christian story. They are offered an understanding of worship by being invited to participate in, or observe, Christian spiritual practices such as:
-
prayer
-
reading
-
reflection on the Bible and liturgy
-
different musical traditions
-
Drama and role play
Opportunities to reflect on the wows of life such as beauty and joy of the world are given, as well as time to reflect and empathise with the ow moments of disappointment or pain. Pupils are given time to consider their responsibilities to others and to grow in love and service. Time is given for celebration, both for the accomplishments of school members and to mark seasonal Christian festivals and celebrations. In this way pupils are offered time to be able to contemplate and develop spiritually. Collective Worship in Bishop Bridgeman Church of England Primary School is invitational, inspirational and inclusive.
Windows, Doors and Mirrors
We use the spirituality technique of Windows, Mirrors and Doors in our reflections areas and in worship.
* Opportunities to reflect on their experiences
* Consider life’s big questions and reach some possible answers
* Learning from life by exploring own insights and those of others
* Opportunities for children to be aware of the world in new ways
* To wonder about life’s ‘wows’. Things that are amazing
* And life’s ‘ows’ that take us by surprise!
* Learning about life in all its fullness
* Opportunities for children to respond
* To do something creative to develop and apply their ideas
* Learning to live out their beliefs and values
Spirituality in Religious Education
The Church of England’s Statement of Entitlement outlines the aims and expectations for Religious Education in Church of England Schools and guides this school’s approach to RE and spirituality.
Learning activities in RE provide for the needs of all pupils, offering a safe space to explore their own religious, spiritual and/or philosophical ways of seeing, living and thinking, believing and belonging. They provide opportunities to engage in meaningful and informed dialogue with those of all religions and worldviews, linking these to pupils’ ideas of spirituality and the language of wows, ows and nows where appropriate.
For further details, please refer to Bishop Bridgeman Church of England Primary School Religious Education Policy and Spirituality/Vision in the curriculum documents.
Ethos Leaders Published Books
Ethos Leaders have written, produced and published 3 books to support other schools in their Christian Distinctiveness work.
Book 1 - Building, Living and Driving Values 100 Activities to Promote Christian Values
Book 2 - Building, Living and Driving Values 100 Activities to Promote Spiritual Development
Book 3 - Building, Living and Driving Values 100 Activities to Promote Children’s Prayer
Recording, Monitoring and Evaluation
The Local Governing Board review the policy in partnership with Senior/ Middle Leaders and consider any views expressed by parents, children and staff in order to make any changes or recommendations. Recommendations are fed back to the full governing body and are then actioned as appropriate.
Governors ensure that this policy is fully implemented and that practice is consistent with the school’s Christian vision, in line with the school’s monitoring policy and schedule for governors.
The CEO of Archbishop Temple Multi Academy Trust has specific responsibility for the Christian Distinctiveness, Collective Worship and Spirituality across the Trust. As part of our Trust we have. SIAMS/ Christian Distinctiveness health check each year, for further information please refer to the Trust Christian Foundation Strategy
Roles and Responsibilities
Recognising there are opportunities for enhancing the spiritual well-being of learners in every aspect of our school life, every member of our staff team is committed to support this spiritual growth wherever appropriate.
The headteacher is responsible for supporting and leading spiritual development in our school, including monitoring opportunities for spiritual growth in collective worship, the whole curriculum (including RE) and the general ethos of the school within daily life,
This role also includes:
* Ensuring personal knowledge and expertise are kept up-to-date by participating in CPD and shared good practice
* Providing and sourcing in-service training for staff as necessary
* Ensuring all staff are familiar with the shared language of spirituality
* Acquiring and organising appropriate resources, managing a budget when necessary
* Monitoring the opportunities for spiritual growth through regular observations and learning walks in both formal and informal contexts, discussions with colleagues and pupil voice
* Contributing to the SIAMS self-evaluation process
Staff Development and Training
We ensure that all staff, including support staff, receive appropriate training and opportunities for professional development, both as individuals and as groups or teams. ECTs and staff who are new to Bishop Bridgeman Church of England Primary will receive training and support from the staff member identified as leading on spirituality and the Trust.
This policy is shared on the school’s website and is part of the induction pack for new staff and new governors.
This policy was reviewed September 2024