Spirituality
Children’s spirituality is a delicate flower that all too often struggles to survive. It both deserves and needs the special tender loving care that we are in a position to offer. – David Holmes, 2021
Spirituality at Skidby C of E Primary School is not a word, nor a feeling- it’s about the whole. We value it as an essential part of the pupil and staff in our school family, and the education of their wholeness. We want our children and adults to grow together, developing not in isolation, but thriving with one another. Throughout our curriculum, we provide rich and planned opportunities to develop socially and emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually in order to flourish and achieve their potential. It is our responsibility to give members of our school community opportunities to cultivate spirituality through understanding themselves, others, beauty and the world and beyond. ‘Rooted and established in love’ – Ephesians 3:17-19
Aims
The aims for spirituality at Skidby Primary School are:
- To provide a context of faith, security and loving relationships to support each child’s spiritual search.
- To foster the spiritual development of each child, regardless of age, sex, ability or cultural background.
- To foster self-awareness and promote a feeling of self-worth.
- To develop a set of values, principles and beliefs.
- To develop positive human qualities.
- To develop respect and empathy for other people and their beliefs.
- To foster a respect for different people’s feelings and values.
- To develop the children’s enthusiasm to explore and learn through enquiry and first hand experiences.
- To enable the children to attribute meaning to experiences.
- To enable the children to value the non-material dimension of life.
- To foster reflection and stillness.
- To foster a sense of meaning, purpose and direction in life.
- To encourage imagination and creativity.
- To develop a sense of awe and wonder at the miracle of creation, life and the natural world.
- To enable the children to experience a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others, and the world around them, including the intangible.
- To share Christian stories and respond to Christian festivals, rituals and symbols.
“I like my lessons because they are always fun and interesting.”
“The thing I like most about school is the staff and my friends because they encourage me to do my best.”
“I really like the fact I feel safe and can make friends easily here.”
“The teachers take care of us and challenge us so we can get better.”
“I enjoyed the paramedic coming in to school.”
“I like this school because everyone is nice to each other even though we are all different.”
“I look forward to the creative work we do.”
“We have really enjoyed pretending we are policemen.”
“I like being in class two because all the lessons are interesting, really fun and challenging too.”
“I like the awesome school trips we go on, like our trip to the chocolate factory.”
“I like the way we do our homework, giving us options makes it really fun and I learn a lot.”
“The teachers treat us fairly.”
“Staff look after us and keep us safe.”
“The staff are really nice and make learning exciting.”
“I like my maths lessons and getting better with my handwriting.”
“What I like about my school is that it is safe, secure, I learn lots and when I achieve something I get rewarded.”
“My favourite thing is the cheerleading club where people lift us in the air.”
“I like the dojo points as we are rewarded with a book for every 100 dojo points we get.”