Be.Human.Kind (Spirituality)

Our Shared Understanding of Spirituality

Spirituality is the process of awakening from ordinary consciousness; expanding the mind beyond its limitations, thoughts and viewpoints about life and the universe.

It is the process of making the mind free from fears, worries and non-stop thinking; experiencing inner peace & bliss in our everyday life. It’s about making peace with the universe and accepting our reality; trying to live in harmony; training oneself to be less reactive to the events happening in our lives by freeing ourselves from the ‘monkey mind.’

“Music is the space between the notes.” Claude Debussy.

Therefore…

Our Rationale

It is important for our children to understand what it means to be human & how human behaviour has and can shape the world. To know and appreciate their role as part of a community; to take responsibility; to be able to look after themselves & to foster an understanding of their importance, impact and influence in the world.

It is our ambition to prepare our children for their future in this world; to develop knowledge of observation, scrutiny, questioning, comparison and contrast, reflection & evaluation and knowledge of relationships: relationships with oneself, others, the world and beyond.

‘We are spiritual beings having a human experience.’ Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Our ‘Learning Wheel’ supports children to develop a deeper understanding of these concepts. As a consequence their knowledge can develop beyond a shallow level of learning.

By developing the right dispositions for learning, a focus on knowledge, a desire for asking questions and the importance of human connection, children are given a solid foundation for ‘sticky’ knowledge which can be transferred across different subject areas during their learning journey with us.

Spirituality enables our children to thrive, be happy & succeed so that they can fulfil their potential.

Be.Human.Kind is at the heart of our behaviour policy which promotes the perpetual generosity of spirit and deliberate ‘botheredness’ (valuing effort; recognising embodied values; daily acts of care; noticing the unnoticed; the interest shown in other’s lives – visible consistency & visible kindness where expectations are clearly mapped out).

Our Christian vision is lived out in:

• How we treat each other;
• Informed decision making;
• Our curriculum; and additional activities & opportunities;
• R-Time (inc. metaphysical questions)
• Standards (attainment and progress);
• Impact of Collective Worship;
• Guided meditation;
• Character/personal development, including spiritual development and courageous advocacy;
• Impact of our Christian Values;
• Policies, principles and practice;
• Approaches to British Values;
• Growth mind-set;
• Ongoing monitoring and evaluation;
• Partnerships;
• Community;
• Our approach to ‘service;’

In our most recent Ofsted inspection (July 2023), it was noted that:

• ‘Pupils are thriving at this happy, friendly school’
• ‘The school’s positive ethos is immediately apparent’
• ‘Staff have high expectations of pupils’
• ‘Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary’