Spirituality

at Wickhambreaux CE Primary School

At Wickhambreaux CE Primary School, we long for every child and adult to flourish — academically, emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Spirituality comes from the Latin word spiritus, meaning “breath,” a reminder that it is an essential part of life and touches every aspect of our experience, including school life.

Our understanding of spirituality is underpinned by the parable of the mustard seed, where Jesus describes how the smallest seed can grow into a great tree, with branches where birds come to rest. We see this as a reminder that even the smallest moments of wonder, reflection, and kindness can grow in children’s lives, helping them flourish and offering space for others to flourish too.

We support spiritual growth by providing a safe, open, and accepting environment where everyone can explore their experiences and beliefs. Spirituality is deeply personal, and can be religious or non-religious, connected to God or a higher presence, or simply a sense of awe and wonder. Reflection is at its heart: turning a feeling or experience — a ‘Wow’ or ‘Ow’ — into something deeper.

Through the Window, Mirror, Door approach, we help children:

• Look outwards at the world with awe and curiosity (window),

• Reflect on their own thoughts, feelings, and values (mirror),

• Respond with action, creativity, and kindness (door).

How we nurture spirituality

We help children grow spiritually by:

• Giving them opportunities to look out at the world with curiosity and wonder.

• Creating moments to reflect on what matters to them and why.

• Encouraging imagination, creativity, and self-expression.

• Respecting and valuing diverse beliefs, traditions, and worldviews.

• Allowing quiet time and space to pause, question, and think deeply.

Spirituality at Wickhambreaux is also woven into the daily life of our school:

• Our Spirituality Tree in the playground is a living reminder of the mustard seed parable. Children can write their own moments of spirituality — experiences of wonder, joy, compassion, or reflection — on paper birds and hang them on its branches. Just as the birds find rest in the branches of the mustard tree, our children’s experiences come together to form a shared picture of spiritual growth and community.
  
  
• Spirituality benches in the playground provide a quiet space where children and adults can sit, pause, and just be, offering time for personal reflection or contemplation.
  
  
• Wonder Walls in classrooms invite children to ask big questions, notice beauty, and explore curiosities that matter to them.
  
  
• We build in regular moments of reflection during lessons, collective worship, and the school day, helping children pause and think deeply.

For children of Christian faith, spirituality includes growing in relationship with God and exploring the presence of God in their lives. For children of other faiths, we support and celebrate their own beliefs and practices as part of their spiritual journey. For children with no faith background, we emphasise meaning, connection, and belonging — helping them wonder, reflect, and respond with kindness.

Ideas for home

Families can nurture their child’s spirituality at home through:

• Windows: Noticing the beauty of creation — skies, seasons, wildlife, the world around us.

• Mirrors: Talking about values, stories, or experiences, and asking “What do you think? How do you feel?”

• Doors: Encouraging children to respond — through acts of kindness, creativity, volunteering, or making positive changes.

Spirituality across learning

At Wickhambreaux, spirituality isn’t confined to RE or worship. It flows through every subject: