What is spirituality?

Spiritual development is a key part of our theologically rooted vision at St Oswald’s CE Primary School. We believe that spirituality is for all pupils and the wider community.

Spirituality is a core component to ‘living life in all its fullness’ as the mind, body and soul needs to be nurtured equally. It relates to fundamental questions about the meaning and purpose of life which affect everyone and is not dependent on a religious belief. It is also based on the search for ways to answer questions about life and a search for identity.

Spirituality at St Oswald’s

As a staff team, with approval from the governing body, we have agreed on a definition of spiritual development in our school community to support us as we talk about spirituality.

Our definition of spirituality is:

Spirituality is a very personal experience and is about the opening of hearts and minds through reflection and being the best versions of ourselves. 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.

As a school, we recognise that spirituality is a concept that some may find difficult to grasp. To support this, we use a simple format with images that encourages children to stop, think and reflect. This is represented by ‘Windows, Mirrors and Doors’.

Windows are looking out onto the world and becoming aware of its wonders. The whole curriculum and life itself are full of opportunities to recognise this sensitively.	Mirrors are for looking into and reflecting, alone and together, to see things more clearly, for thinking and asking important questions, learning from our own and each others’ responses.	Doors are for looking through in order to then act or express this in some way in response; for moving on, making choices and something creative, active and purposeful in response.

Promoting Spirituality

Spirituality is promoted in all that we do at St Oswald’s. Our deeply rooted theological vision embeds the practice of

spiritual development and allows us to be promoted throughout the school day.

We support children in their spiritual development by:

• Providing opportunities for spiritual development in collective worship
• Providing opportunities for spiritual development in Religious Education
• Providing opportunities for spiritual development in the wider curriculum
• Capturing opportunities for awe and wonder as they arise
• Providing ‘Reflection Spaces’ in classrooms, public spaces, outside and more
• Offering pupils opportunities to lead spiritual development moments through the School Worship Team