Spirituality
Spiritual development is the ongoing process through which both children and adults make sense of their experiences, explore meaning and purpose, and develop a sense of connection to themselves, others and the world around them.
At Howick, we believe spiritual development is a vital part of every child’s personal growth. It goes beyond Religious Education and Collective Worship, and is nurtured across all areas of the curriculum and school life.
We use four key concepts to support this development:
- Self
- Others
- The World
- Beauty and Beyond
We promote spirituality by:
- Encouraging curiosity, questioning and reflection
- Creating opportunities for awe and wonder
- Engaging with stories and rich experiences
- Fostering strong relationships and a sense of belonging
- Promoting creativity and a connection to place
Through this approach, we support children to explore meaning, develop their own beliefs and values, and grow as thoughtful, reflective individuals.
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 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.
