St Martin'sCE Primary School
Spirituality
We believe that each and every person has an innate spirituality which can be nurtured, understood and developed. This development can happen over time or in sudden bursts. We strive to provide strategic opportunities for spiritual development as well as recognising the “magic moments” where spirituality blossoms spontaneously in our young people.
While we know that spirituality is personal and everchanging (and therefore difficult to define), we have a shared language around spiritual development which ensures that all stakeholders and children are able to communicate about their own experience.
We use the term “Spirit Seekers” and our key question: “What is your spirit seeking?” to signpost children and staff to opportunities for spiritual development.
Click this link to access our Spirituality Policy for more information about Spirituality at St Martin's.
We use the following four terms to provide further structure to our development of Spirituality:
Candle Moments - a reflection of beyond
Develop our sense of mystery and to reflect on a higher purpose. To encounter and experience God. Have a sense of what lies beyond the physical and formulate and discuss the ‘Big Questions.’ Have an opportunity for prayer, connecting with God. To be able to make sense of the world.
Door Moments - a reflection of others
Look at the examples and lessons we can learn from other people. Consider how other people might influence our own thoughts, actions and relationships. Show empathy and understanding, respect, tolerance. To love and be loved. Make a difference; show responsibility
Mirror Moments - a reflection of ourselves
To understand who we are as individual people with unique experiences, thoughts and beliefs. To be able to reflect and express our own opinions and faiths. To develop imagination, creativity and find gratitude and joy in their lives.
Window Moments - a reflection of beauty
Find opportunities for awe and wonder. Be inspired by the wonder of life, to marvel at the beauty in the world around us. Experience creativity and enjoy the miracles of everyday life. Take time for what really matters and appreciate beauty in art, music, nature.
A significant aspect of our collective worship timetable is each Wednesday’s “Spirit Seeking” session, which directly provides a range of joyful and thoughtful opportunities for children to develop spiritually. Spirit Seeking time is recorded in classes on a designated board so that the children can see the journey they have been on and all stakeholders can see the joy and reflection that has happened in our school.
In addition to this, opportunities for spiritual development are threaded through our collective worship timetable. By gathering together each day, whether in class or across the whole school, we are creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose. This sense of a united identity provides the security needed for children to reflect, grow and explore spiritually.
By celebrating a wide range of festivals throughout the school year, we are ensuring that our children have a diverse range of opportunities to explore and nurture their own spirituality and to understand their own and others’ beliefs. Each festival we celebrate ensures a wide range of opportunities for spiritual development and are planned to ensure that all people of faith (and those who have no faith) are able to participate in their own unique way and understand Christian Spirituality.
To ensure consistency of understanding across all stakeholders, this one-page document (Spirituality at St Martins) was made to sit alongside our Spirituality Policy. It summarises Spirituality across the school.
