Powerstock School Spirituality

Spirituality is not something we can see, touch, or hear; it is something we feel inside ourselves. It is about the wonder of our world and ourselves, asking questions, finding inspiration, and being aware of something ‘bigger’ outside of ourselves.

At Powerstock School, children have opportunities to grow in their spirituality in several ways:

Spiritual Capacities

Recognising that all human beings are capable of spiritual growth through capacities such as self-awareness, reflection, empathy, imagination, and creativity.

Spiritual Experiences

Providing ways in which pupils can encounter the spiritual dimension of life.

Spiritual Understanding

Developing an understanding to make sense of the spiritual experiences encountered and capacities exercised.

Spiritual Responses

Understanding how these experiences and understandings impact our lives and shape the way we live.

Achieving Coherence, Achievement, and Confidence through School Values

Our approach to enabling children to develop their spirituality is summarised in these four areas, aligned with our core values of Respect, Compassion, Generosity, and Perseverance:

Self

Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the concept of self – the inner person and the way this shapes an individual’s perception of themselves as a unique human being. Through Respect and Perseverance, students reflect on their relationship with their sense of being a unique person, fostering self-awareness and confidence.

Others

Spiritual learners develop a growing empathy, concern, and compassion for how to treat others. By practising Compassion and Generosity, they reflect on how their values and principles affect their relationships, promoting coherence and achievement in social interactions.

World

Spiritual learners build a relationship with beauty through the ability to respond emotionally to experiences of the natural world and human creativity. This exploration, supported by Respect for the environment and Perseverance in creative endeavours, enhances their appreciation and confidence in their creative abilities.

Beyond

Spiritual learners explore the concept of the beyond – a growing relationship with the transcendental and the ability to explore experiences beyond the everyday. This search for meaning, guided by Respect for diverse beliefs and Compassion for different perspectives, nurtures a coherent understanding of their place in the greater scheme of things.

How is Spirituality Nurtured?

Children’s spiritual development is fostered through all aspects of our provision. It is about the relationships and the values we consider important, as well as the development of knowledge, concepts, skills, and attitudes. We give children opportunities to:

• Express personal beliefs and compare views with others, sharing feelings and opinions through discussions and stories.
• Develop their own system of beliefs, which may or may not include religious beliefs.
• Experience a love of learning through rewarding their enthusiasm and encouraging exploratory play and learning.
• Reflect upon the world around them and show a sense of awe and wonder towards aspects of the natural world or human achievement.
• Reflect on the situations of others through role play, stories, and the expressive arts.
• Experience a range of stories, music, art, drama, and dance.

The Role of the School Community

All members of the school community have a responsibility for helping to nurture children’s spiritual development.

School Staff

• Establish and maintain a partnership between pupils, parents, and staff, recognising and respecting the faith background of the children and their families.
• Participate in and support collective acts of worship.
• Be good role models in their conduct towards other members of the community.
• Promote an attitude of respect for other people and for others’ views.
• Nurture consideration for and generosity towards others.
• Draw on the experiences of pupils and their families during religious education lessons and beyond.
• Recognise and be constantly aware of the needs and backgrounds of each individual pupil.
• Be willing to develop their own knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith and the faiths of others.
• Have a positive attitude towards the value of spiritual education.

Pupils

• Are invited to take an active part in acts of collective worship.
• Participate in activities that promote the skills allowing them to engage in examination of and reflection upon religious belief and practice.
• Conduct themselves towards others considerately, in line with the code of conduct.
• Respect the views and beliefs of others.
• At the end of each unit, pupils reflect on their learning, personal and spiritual development using the Self, Others, World and Beyond concept.

Parents

• Adopt a positive attitude towards the value of spiritual education.
• Support the school’s Christian ethos and acts of community worship such as assemblies and church services.
• Respect the views and beliefs of others.

By integrating our core values of Respect, Compassion, Generosity, and Perseverance, Powerstock School nurtures a coherent, confident, and achievement-oriented spiritual development in our students.