At Birchanger we believe that to talk about spirituality is, essentially, to talk about something which is bigger than ourselves. To make conversations about spirituality more accessible to every member of our school community, Birchanger C of E (VC) Primary School has chosen to follow ideas developed by the Diocese of Gloucester. This language of spirituality begins from a Christian understanding that everyone is a valued creation, individually and uniquely made by God, like pots made by a potter (Isaiah 64:8). Yet, in life things happen that impact on the physical ‘pot’ of life and create cracks that provide a glimpse of something beyond ourselves. Christians would view this as an opportunity to relate to the Divine Creator God. Cracks may be caused when something so good and breath-taking happens that the pot expands and cracks – the wows of life. Cracks may happen when something challenging happens and threatens the comfort of everyday – the ows of life. Cracks can also happen in the stillness and ordinariness of everyday – the nows of life, when a moment of stillness, a pause or prayer creates a crack in the normal, physical everyday.  In these special moments there is a spiritual opportunity. Kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending broken ceramics with golden joinery or glue, creates something that has been broken into something even more beautiful. Using this metaphor, the wows, ows and nows of life offer the possibility of cracks that are filled with gold and make the pot even more beautiful. The gold in the cracks reflect a little of the wonder of spirituality.  Birchanger C of E Primary School uses this language and the concepts of wows, ows and nows. These are used to explore relationships with: 

• ourselves 

• others 

• the wider natural world and beyond 

• and offering the invitation to relate to God 

Spirituality within the Curriculum   

At Birchanger Primary School, driven through our vision of ‘Life in all its Fullness’ we offer a curriculum that is balanced and broadly based and which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils.  We promote the children’s spiritual development to support them to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life; knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values; sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them.  We encourage their use of imagination and creativity in their learning and to be reflective learners.  

We do this through:  

• an enquiry-based RE Curriculum to promote deeper thinking and reflection  

• a PSHE programme which offers opportunity for reflection about themselves  and others, along with units on environmental issues and looking after our   planet.  

• the teaching of myHappyMind which is a program designed to support  children's mental health and wellbeing by teaching them the science of   positive  psychology, resilience, and emotional regulation.  It helps children build their  self-esteem, practice gratitude and helps to foster positive relationships with  themselves and others.  

• through encouraging individual responses to Art, and involvement in projects  such as ‘No Place Like Home’ (Sanctuary Foundation) to support our  refugee children and promote gratitude.  

• in Maths through appreciating the wonder of patterns of number and in  nature e.g. symmetry  

• in English through reading quality, thought-provoking literature and thinking   about characters’ ow or wow moments, their response to books they have  read (written or verbal)  

• through Geography – nurturing an understanding about human impact on the world (ows) and discussing positive solutions, learning about other cultures, learning about beautiful places in the world (wows)  

• Music – learning about different music and thinking about their individual  responses.  How does music make you feel? Which music elicits particular  memories for them?  

• Science – developing the children’s curiosity, awe and wonder about the  world including visitors such as Dame Aderin-Pocock  

• History – learning about the ‘wow’ and ‘ow’ moments past and present  

• PE – children realising the strength and limitations of their bodies, enjoying  the outdoors and physical space  

• Forest School – children in touch with nature, experiencing ‘now’ and ‘wow’   

Moments  

•      we also look for unplanned moments which appear in day-to-day life  

 Spirituality within the Ethos of the Daily Life of the School   

In Birchanger C of E Primary School we view spiritual growth as becoming more and more aware of one’s natural, innate spirituality. These opportunities happen throughout each and every day as children deal with delight, disappointment and the chance to be present with themselves.     

For this reason, every member of the school community are familiar with the school’s shared language of spirituality and will respond to pupils appropriately.    

Throughout the daily life of the school, including lunch times and playtimes, pupils know that their references to wows, ows and nows will be heard and taken seriously. They will be encouraged to reflect on these experiences and be comfortable about talking about the golden glue of spirituality.    

Examples of this are:  

• Children encouraged to have a ‘now’ moment for reflection if they have   made poor choices (in line with our Positive Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policy)  

• Through the schools Outdoor Play and Learning Programme (OPAL) which  means the children have opportunities to respond to music, dance, bubbles  and nature every lunchtime.  

• Through the use of the Reflection Gazebo which can be used for outdoor  worship and the development of reflection spaces with the Beliefs Council  

• A programme of enrichment such as: visitors to collective worship e.g.   Woodwind Band Group, Retune Session (looking after mental health through music), Reverend Colin, Zoolab; external trips e.g. Duxford, Botanical Gardens, Residential; special days such as ‘Express Yourself Day’ and wellbeing days on Friendship, Spirituality and Peace; experiences such as Living Chicks.