Developing Spirituality at All Saints’ Academy

As a church school we are concerned with the development of children’s mind, body and soul.  We believe that spirituality should influence all areas of education and life, therefore we aim that all areas of the curriculum contribute to pupils’ spiritual development. Spiritual development relates to fundamental questions about the meaning and purpose of life which affect everyone, and is not dependent on a religious affiliation.

Spiritual development is not about becoming, more spiritual, it is about realising or becoming more and more aware of one’s natural, innate spirituality. This is sometimes a slow and gradual process, at other times there might be significant stages of realisation, which are part of the ongoing ‘developing’ process.  People don’t reach a finished state of spiritual development, but participate in the ongoing process of spiritual realisation.

Windows: giving children opportunities to become aware of and seeing the world in new ways; to wonder about life’s ‘WOWs’ (things that are amazing) and ‘OWs’ (things that bring us up short and we find difficult). The image of the window helps children to understand the concept of letting our light shine out and looking through a the lens of the window to see through our different viewpoints.

Mirrors: Giving opportunities to reflect upon our experiences. The mirror reflects our light back at us to meditate on life's big questions and consider some possible answers. Learning from life by exploring our own insights and perspectives and those of others.

Doors: Giving opportunities to respond, to do something creative in order to express, apply and further develop our thoughts and convictions. Learning to live by putting into action our beliefs and values. We open the door to let our light shine out on others and into the world.