Spirituality
“the sense making activity that both children and adults necessarily carry out as a result of the life experiences they encounter” Clive Erricker
“delighting in all things, being absorbed in the present moment, not too attached to ‘self’ and eager to explore boundaries of ‘beyond’ and other, searching for meaning, discovering purpose, open to more’ Rabbi Hugo Gryn
At Howick we believe that spiritual development is a fundamental aspect of children’s personal progress and that it is very important to provide all children with a range of opportunities to help them develop spiritually. We believe that spiritual development may not be synonymous with RE and Collective Worship and can be explored through many different curriculum areas.
As a school we focus on the idea of 4 concepts of spirituality: self, others, world and beauty and beyond. We develop spirituality by being creative and engaging, by enabling our pupils to connect with stories, by empowering our children to ask and respond to questions, by encouraging awe and wonder, by promoting place and creativity, by developing relationships and by encouraging reflection.
Our model for Spiritual development
Windows – Learning about life
We give children opportunities to become aware of the world in new ways; to wonder about life’s ‘Wows’ (things that are amazing and unexplainable as to why they evoke such a response) and ‘Ows’ (things that upset, surprise or cause us to be uncertain). In this our children are learning about life in all its fullness.
Mirrors – Learning from life
We give children opportunities to reflect on their experience; to consider life’s big questions and to wonder about some possible answers. In this, they are learning from life by exploring their own insights and perspectives and those of others.
Doors – Learning to live life
We give children opportunities to respond to all of this; to do something creative as a means of expressing, applying and further developing their thoughts and convictions. In this they are learning to live by putting into action what they are coming to believe and value.
What Is Spirituality Morning?
Spirituality Morning was a special time dedicated to helping our children pause from the busyness of everyday learning and connect with what matters most. It provided a calm, nurturing space where pupils could think deeply, explore big ideas and reflect on their own thoughts, feelings and values.
Why We Do It
Spirituality Morning encouraged our children to:
Reflect on themselves and their place in the world
Notice and appreciate beauty, kindness and small moments of joy
Explore values such as respect, gratitude, compassion and hope
Express their ideas creatively through art, music, movement, or quiet thought
Build emotional wellbeing, resilience and confidence in who they are
We believe that spiritual development is an important part of a child’s growth. It helps them learn to understand themselves, make thoughtful choices, and develop empathy towards others.
What It Looks Like
Spirituality Morning included our children moving round school in mixed aged groups taking part in a variety of activities:
Calm reflection activities
Thought‑provoking questions or stories
Creative tasks that encourage imagination and meaning‑making
Opportunities for children to share their thoughts in a safe, supportive environment
The Heart of Spirituality Morning
Ultimately, our goal is simple:
To give children a meaningful moment where they could slow down, think deeply, and discover more about themselves and the world around them.
