SPIRITUALITY AT ST JOHN’S
At St. John’s, we recognise that it can be difficult to put ‘spirituality’ into words. It is a feeling, a connection with something beyond ourselves; a personal experience; and one that can change over time.
Spirituality is about ensuring that we flourish; that we reach our God given potential. It involves each of us understanding ourselves, relating well to others, appreciating the beauty in the world, and reflecting on the deeper meaning of life.
For Christians, spirituality involves the many different ways we can connect with God.
Spirituality is something that makes our stars shine brighter.
To help the children understand what this means, we have used the spiritual pathways to help them understand how they can make their stars shine brighter and be closer to God.
What do the Sacred Pathways mean?
- Naturalists: These individuals feel closest to God when they are outdoors, surrounded by nature. They find spiritual renewal in the beauty of creation and often prefer to worship in natural settings rather than traditional church environments.
- Sensates: Sensates connect with God through their senses. They appreciate beauty in art, music, and other sensory experiences, which enhance their worship and spiritual practices.
- Traditionalists: This group values rituals and traditions in their worship. They find meaning in structured practices and often engage in liturgical worship that connects them to historical faith practices.
- Ascetics: Ascetics prefer solitude and simplicity in their spiritual lives. They often engage in prayer and meditation, seeking a deep, personal connection with God away from distractions.
- Activists: Activists express their faith through social justice and advocacy. They feel called to confront injustice and work towards godly principles in society, viewing their activism as a form of worship.
- Caregivers: Caregivers connect with God by serving others. They find fulfilment in acts of compassion and service, often feeling God’s presence when they help those in need.
- Enthusiasts: Enthusiasts worship with passion and celebration. They thrive in environments filled with joy and excitement, often expressing their faith through lively worship and communal gatherings.
- Contemplatives: Contemplatives focus on deep love and adoration for God. They engage in prayer and reflection, seeking intimacy with God through quiet and attentive worship.
- Intellectuals: Intellectuals connect with God through study and understanding. They enjoy exploring theological concepts and engaging in discussions through asking Big Questions.
How do we encourage children to flourish at St John’s?
As a church school and a place where everyone can:
“Be the best that they can be.”
We aim to create an environment that will nurture people’s minds, bodies, and souls. We believe that spirituality should influence all areas of education and life.
Spiritual development relates to fundamental questions about the meaning and purpose of life, which affect everyone and is not dependent on a religious affiliation.
We openly encourage children to reflect in the way that suits them best, enabling them to participate in an ongoing process of spiritual realisation and to flourish.
Spirituality in RE:
Spirituality is deeply connected to the teaching of Religious Education (RE), but it’s important to note that spirituality goes beyond religion. While RE provides a structured way to explore beliefs and worldviews, spiritual development involves helping children reflect on life’s bigger questions, values, and their sense of self and connection to others.
🌟 1. Exploring Big Questions
RE gives children the space to ask and reflect on spiritual questions like:
- Why are we here?
- What happens when we die?
- What is right and wrong?
- What makes life meaningful?
🌍 2. Understanding Different Beliefs
Through RE, children learn about faiths and worldviews (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Humanism, etc.). This develops spiritual awareness by:
- Encouraging respect and empathy
- Helping pupils appreciate how belief influences people’s lives
- Inviting children to reflect on their own beliefs and values
❤️ 3. Encouraging Reflection
RE lessons often involve:
- Times of quiet thought or reflection
- Opportunities to respond creatively (through art, writing, or drama)
- Personal responses to stories, festivals, and symbols
This nurtures a child’s ability to think deeply and connect emotionally with what they’re learning.
🎨 4. Appreciating Wonder and Mystery
Spirituality thrives on awe and wonder, and RE often explores:
- Sacred places and special objects
- Miracles and acts of kindness
- The beauty of religious art, music, and rituals
These can spark a sense of awe, curiosity, and reverence.
🧭 5. Developing Values and Morals
RE helps children explore spiritual concepts such as:
- Love, forgiveness, peace, hope, justice, and compassion
- How religious stories and teachings guide moral choices
- What it means to live a good life
Spirituality in the Curriculum Subjects:
🌿 English
- Exploring characters’ feelings, choices, and moral dilemmas in stories
- Reflecting on the meaning behind poems or texts
- Encouraging empathy and understanding of others’ perspectives through reading and discussion
🧮 Maths
- Appreciating patterns, order, and the beauty of numbers and shapes
- Developing perseverance and wonder when solving complex problems
- Encouraging awe at the order and structure in the world
🌍 Geography
- Reflecting on the beauty and fragility of the Earth
- Understanding our responsibility to care for the environment
- Considering how people live differently around the world and showing respect and compassion
🧪 Science
- Encouraging awe and wonder about the natural world and the universe
- Asking big questions like “Why are we here?” or “How did life begin?”
- Exploring the mystery and complexity of life, space, and the environment
🎨 Art & Design
- Expressing personal feelings, imagination, and inner thoughts creatively
- Exploring meaning and symbolism in art
- Reflecting on beauty, emotion, and cultural identity through artwork
🎶 Music
- Using music to express deep emotions and spiritual experiences
- Experiencing the joy, peace, or reflection music can bring
- Appreciating the spiritual role of music in cultures and faiths
🧘 PE & PSHE
- Exploring personal growth, resilience, and mindfulness
- Understanding our bodies and developing a sense of respect for ourselves and others
- Encouraging teamwork, fairness, and inner strength
🏛️ History
- Reflecting on human achievement, struggle, and moral choices through time
- Learning from the lives of people who stood up for their beliefs or changed the world
- Asking questions about legacy, values, and human purpose