Spirituality at Walsgrave
Together we Thrive
Belonging, Growing and Learning Together in God's Love.
At Walsgrave Church of England Academy, we believe that spirituality is part of everyday life. It is not something that happens only during collective worship or Religious Education. Spirituality is woven through our curriculum, our relationships and the experiences we share as a school community.
Our vision is rooted in the words of Colossians 2:7:
"Rooted and built up in Jesus"
Just as strong roots help a tree to flourish, we believe that when children are rooted in God's love, they develop the confidence to belong, the character to grow and the curiosity to learn.
We want every child to develop spiritually by becoming increasingly aware of themselves, their relationships with others, the beauty of the world around them and, for those who choose to explore it, their relationship with God.
What do we mean by spirituality?
We understand spirituality as the journey of discovering who we are, how we relate to others and how we find meaning and purpose in our lives.
Spirituality helps us to:
- notice the beauty and wonder of God's world;
- reflect on our thoughts, feelings and experiences;
- ask big questions about life and faith;
- develop compassion, hope and resilience;
- make a positive difference through the choices we make every day.
Spirituality is not about having all the answers. It is about learning to notice, reflect and respond with kindness, courage and love.
Windows, Mirrors and Doors
At Walsgrave, we use a simple shared language to help children understand their spiritual journey.
Windows
Growing Together through moments of wonder
Windows help us to look out and notice the world around us. Children experience awe and wonder through nature, music, stories, learning and the amazing things people do. They learn to appreciate God's creation and become curious about the world.
Mirrors
Learning Together through time to reflect
Mirrors encourage children to pause and think deeply. They reflect on their thoughts, feelings and experiences, ask meaningful questions and consider what they can learn about themselves, others and God.
Doors
Belonging Together through living out our values
Doors help children put their learning into action. They live out our Christian values through acts of kindness, service, forgiveness and hope, making a positive difference in school, at home and within the wider community.
Together, Windows, Mirrors and Doors help every child to belong, grow and learn in God's love.
Spirituality in Everyday School Life
Spirituality is intentionally planned across our curriculum and is also found in the unexpected moments that happen every day. We believe some of the most powerful spiritual experiences cannot always be planned.
Children experience spirituality through:
- collective worship and prayer;
- Religious Education and big questions;
- outdoor learning and appreciation of God's creation;
- moments of stillness, reflection and mindfulness;
- our Christian values and courageous advocacy;
- art, music, literature and creative expression;
- opportunities to serve others within the school and wider community;
- relationships built on kindness, forgiveness and respect.
Whether a child is discovering something new in science, reflecting on a character in a story, creating a piece of artwork, helping a friend or standing up for what is right, spirituality is helping them to grow as a whole person.
Our Reflection Garden
Our Reflection Garden is a special place where children can pause, reflect and experience God's creation. It provides a peaceful environment away from the busyness of the school day, where children can spend time thinking, praying or simply enjoying moments of stillness and wonder.
The garden is used by classes, small groups and individual children throughout the year. It offers opportunities to explore our Windows, Mirrors and Doors approach to spirituality by noticing the beauty of the natural world, reflecting on thoughts and feelings, and considering how we can live out our Christian values in everyday life.
As our garden continues to grow, it will remain a place where children can deepen their understanding of themselves, their relationships with others and their relationship with God, helping them to belong, grow and learn in God's love.
Our Reflection Garden
Growing Through the Years
Spiritual development grows intentionally throughout a child's journey at Walsgrave. Young children begin by experiencing awe, curiosity and a sense of belonging. As they move through the school, they become increasingly confident to ask questions, reflect deeply, understand different perspectives and take positive action to make a difference in the world.
Our curriculum includes carefully planned opportunities for spirituality across every year group and every subject, ensuring that children continue to grow academically, personally and spiritually throughout their time with us.
Our Hope
Our hope is that every child leaves Walsgrave knowing that they are loved, valued and able to make a difference.
We want them to leave with hearts full of compassion, minds full of curiosity and lives rooted in Jesus, ready to flourish wherever their journey takes them.
Together We Thrive.
Spirituality at Walsgrave Document
Example of Planned Opportunities for Spirituality
