At Woodchurch Church of England Primary School, we believe that spiritual development is central to a child’s growth, happiness, and sense of purpose. Spirituality is not necessarily the same as religious belief—though it can form the foundation of faith—but rather, it is a concern to foster the growth of the human spirit in every individual.

What Is Spirituality?

We define spirituality as the way we experience life, relate to ourselves and others, respond to the world around us, and seek connection with something greater than ourselves—what we might call God. Spirituality includes our sense of wonder and awe, the ability to reflect, ask big questions, and express deep emotion. It is something all children are born with, but it must be nurtured to grow.

Spirituality helps us understand our uniqueness, our value, and our ability to make a difference. It brings joy and hope but also allows us to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and reflection. Sometimes it makes us say “wow”, and sometimes “ow”.

We believe that no child is complete without spiritual engagement, and that spirituality is essential for personal fulfilment, belonging, and wellbeing.

How Do We Support Spiritual Development?

Spiritual development is not confined to one subject or lesson—it is woven through our entire curriculum and the ethos of our school. It is nurtured intentionally and sensitively by all members of staff, through both planned and spontaneous moments.

We focus on four key areas of spiritual growth, based on the work of Andrew Rickett:

• Self – Developing self-awareness, identity, inner peace, and personal reflection

• Others – Building empathy, compassion, and relationships

• Beauty – Appreciating art, music, nature, and all that inspires awe

• Beyond – Exploring big questions, belief, and the mystery of life

We use Rickett’s Grids to monitor progression in these areas and to ensure that spirituality grows alongside academic and social development.

Windows, Mirrors, and Doors: A Shared Language

To help children and staff understand and talk about spiritual development, we use the ‘Windows, Mirrors, and Doors’ model (developed by Liz Mills), which is embedded across school life:

• Windows – Opportunities to look out at the world in wonder and ask, “What is happening here?” These may come through stories, experiences, music, or nature.

• Mirrors – Time to reflect inwardly and consider, “How does this affect me? What do I believe or feel?”

• Doors – Opportunities to respond, to act or change, and ask, “What can I do now?”

These concepts are visibly displayed in all classrooms, especially in reflection areas, and are used across school life to help children make sense of their own spirituality.

Planned and Unplanned Spiritual Moments

We carefully plan for spiritual development across the curriculum and through Collective Worship, RE, PSHE, outdoor learning, the arts, and more. These planned opportunities help pupils engage with awe and wonder, ask big questions, express themselves, and grow in their understanding of the world.

Equally important are the unplanned moments—when something unexpected prompts deep thinking or emotional connection. This might be a moving piece of music, a kind act, a question in class, or a moment of silence. Our staff are trained to recognise and respond to these moments, creating time and space for reflection and growth.

How We Embed Spirituality Across School Life

We take a consistent and community-wide approach to nurturing spirituality:

• Staff and governors have agreed on a shared definition of spirituality

• All staff are trained in spiritual development and revisit it regularly in CPD

• New staff are introduced to our spiritual development policy and language

• Reflection areas and visual prompts in every classroom support spiritual awareness

• Spirituality Spotlights are planned across all subjects and topics

• Children are given regular opportunities to be still, reflect, and respond

• Parents are kept informed through newsletters, displays, social media, and events

• We work closely with our church and wider community to enrich this aspect of school life

Why It Matters

At Woodchurch, we see spiritual development as the foundation of personal growth. It helps children become emotionally secure, socially aware, and morally grounded. It helps them find their place in the world and equips them with the confidence and character to thrive.

We are proud to be a school that nurtures the heart as much as the mind, that values reflection as much as knowledge, and that sees every child as a unique and spiritual individual.