Cold Harbour Church of England School
Our Definition of Spirituality is developing in line with our inclusivity to ensure that every child and adult in school has a chance to become more spiritual in a way that is comfortable with them and suits their own beliefs.
As staff, we have tried to define spirituality in an accessible way without losing the meaning of becoming more spiritual. At Cold Harbour School we believe,
‘Spirituality is your unique journey of connection. It is a feeling of curiosity and fascination about the world, and a desire to ask big questions about life, even when there may be more than one possible answer. It is about belonging to your community, your roots, and a bigger purpose which can lie in religion.’
As a Church school, spirituality is separate from Social, Moral and Cultural education (SMSC).
Spiritual development is an important part of our growth as individuals within our school community. It is inclusive of everyone’s beliefs and worldviews but is in line with our Christian vision “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”.
For us Spirituality is about nurturing an inner sense of awe and wonder. Helping our children to connect with themselves, others and the world. It involves encouraging curiosity and asking questions about life’s bigger purpose, fostering empathy and compassion and appreciating beauty and goodness. It is a ‘golden thread’ woven through the school’s ethos, curriculum, and daily life in the way we act, respond to things and treat each other. A thread so special it encourages reflection, care, and living out our school values.
To achieve this, we use three analogies:
A WOW moment– We can learn about people who are different to us and introduce us to amazing and sometimes uncertain things. In this way, we will learn to understand others, become genuinely empathetic and gain a broader perspective.
A light bulb – Taking that moment for reflection to think about what you have seen or learnt and consider how it makes you feel inside. It is a chance to explore your own opinions and understand that others may or may not share the same ideas but are valid and you can appreciate this.
Stepping stones – Where we enter into a shared experience moving away from observing and thinking about the experience to actively taking part or acting based on our reflection and understanding. We may want to find out more about the experience or the learning that was so awe-inspiring as a Wow moment. Equally, we may have learnt something that changes the way we behave or react to things, demonstrating our spiritual growth.