Spirituality at St Mary's
At Tickhill St Mary's CE Primary School, spirituality is at the heart of who we are.
Rooted in our Christian faith and guided by the belief that to encounter Jesus is to be invited into"life in all its fullness" (John 10:10), we are committed to nurturing every child to flourish academically, socially and spiritually.
We believe that spirituality is not something confined to Collective Worship or Religious Education. It is woven through every aspect of school life and found in moments of awe and wonder, reflection, relationships, learning, creativity, service and prayer. Spiritual development helps children to explore who they are, understand their place in the world, build meaningful relationships and consider life's deepest questions.
As a friendly and inclusive community, we want every child to feel known, valued and loved. Through our Christian vision and our shared values, we seek to help all children discover their unique gifts and develop the confidence, character and faith to flourish.
What Do We Mean by Spirituality?
At St Mary's, spirituality is about the development of the whole person. It is the journey of discovering who we are, how we relate to others, how we experience the world around us and, for many, how we encounter God.
Spirituality enables children to:
- Develop a sense of identity, value and purpose.
- Reflect on their thoughts, beliefs and experiences.
- Appreciate beauty, creativity and the wonder of creation.
- Build positive relationships rooted in love and respect.
- Explore big questions about life, meaning and belief.
- Develop compassion, empathy and a sense of responsibility for others.
- Respond to the opportunities and challenges of life with hope and resilience.
We recognise that spirituality looks different for every child. It may be experienced through prayer, worship, nature, music, art, quiet reflection, acts of kindness, meaningful conversations or moments of wonder and curiosity.
Spirituality and Our Christian Vision
Our vision is lived out through The St Mary's Way. These values shape our approach to spiritual development and provide a framework through which children learn to flourish.
Resilient
As a school founded on Christian hope, we encourage children to face challenges with courage and perseverance.
Inspired by Paul's words,"I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13), we help children understand that setbacks are part of life and that growth often comes through challenge. Through reflection and supportive relationships, children learn to develop resilience, confidence and hope for the future.
Curious
Curiosity lies at the heart of spiritual growth.
We encourage children to ask questions, wonder about the world and seek understanding. Whether exploring faith, nature, science, history or their own experiences, our children are encouraged to reflect deeply and engage with life's big questions.
Through this pursuit of wisdom and understanding, children develop a sense of awe and wonder for God's creation and the world around them.
Respectful
We believe every person is created in the image of God and therefore has inherent worth and dignity.
Following the example of Jesus, children learn to value different viewpoints, listen with respect and respond with kindness and compassion. Spiritual development helps children recognise that every encounter with another person is an opportunity to grow in understanding, empathy and love.
Accountable
Spiritual growth involves recognising that our choices matter.
We encourage children to reflect on their actions, take responsibility for their decisions and learn from their mistakes. Within our culture of forgiveness and acceptance, children are supported to develop integrity, honesty and a strong moral compass rooted in Christian values.
Active Members of Our Community
Spirituality is not only about reflection; it is also about action.
We encourage children to become active members of their school, local and global communities. Through courageous advocacy, charitable activities, leadership opportunities and caring for others, children learn that they can make a positive difference in the world God has entrusted to them.
Our Spirituality Journey
At St Mary's, spiritual development is nurtured through three interconnected strands:
Self
We support children in exploring who they are and who they are becoming.
Children are encouraged to reflect on questions such as:
- Who am I?
- What do I value?
- What kind of person do I want to be?
- What makes me unique?
- How can I learn from my mistakes and grow?
As they journey through school, children develop a growing understanding of their identity, beliefs, strengths and aspirations.
Others
We help children develop meaningful relationships built on respect, compassion and understanding.
Through discussion, reflection and shared experiences, children consider questions such as:
- What makes a good friend?
- How should we treat others?
- Why do people need help?
- What responsibilities do we have towards one another?
- How can we show compassion?
These opportunities help children develop empathy and recognise the value and dignity of every person.
World and Beauty
We seek to nurture a sense of awe and wonder in God's world.
Children encounter beauty through nature, creativity, music, art, literature and outdoor learning. They are encouraged to reflect on questions such as:
- What is beautiful?
- Why should we care for creation?
- What makes us feel awe and wonder?
- What is the purpose of creativity?
- How can we protect the world around us?
Through these experiences, children develop gratitude, curiosity and a deeper appreciation of creation.
Encounter, Reflection and Transformation
We encourage spiritual growth through three key experiences:
Encounter
Children are given opportunities to encounter new ideas, people, places and experiences through:
- Collective Worship
- Religious Education
- Forest School
- Educational visits
- Visitors and community partnerships
- Literature and storytelling
- Music and the arts
- Outdoor learning experiences
These moments create opportunities for wonder, curiosity and deeper thinking.
Reflection
Children are given time and space to pause, think and consider the meaning of their experiences.
Reflection may take place:
- During Collective Worship
- In class discussions
- Through prayer
- In reflection areas around school
- During Forest School sessions
- Through creative and artistic responses
These opportunities help children develop thoughtful, reflective habits that support their personal growth.
Transformation
Spiritual development becomes meaningful when it influences the way we live.
As children grow, we see them becoming:
- More reflective and self-aware.
- More compassionate towards others.
- More confident in expressing their beliefs and values.
- More willing to act for justice and fairness.
- More engaged in serving their communities.
- More appreciative of the world around them.
Spirituality in Everyday School Life
Spirituality is embedded throughout our curriculum and wider school life.
Children experience opportunities for spiritual growth through:
- Collective Worship and prayer
- Religious Education
- PSHE and personal development
- Forest School experiences for every year group
- Music, art and creative learning
- Reading and storytelling
- School Council, Eco Group and Sports Leaders
- Friendship Force and charitable initiatives
- Caring for our school pets
- Outdoor learning and exploration of nature
- Opportunities for courageous advocacy and community service
These experiences help our children recognise that learning extends well beyond the classroom and that spirituality is part of everyday life.
How Do We Know Spirituality Is Making a Difference?
At St Mary's, spirituality helps our children to:
- Love and respect themselves.
- Build positive relationships with others.
- Enjoy learning and discovery.
- Appreciate beauty, creativity and wonder.
- Express and manage their emotions effectively.
- Explore life's big questions with confidence.
- Develop a strong moral compass.
- Show empathy, compassion and kindness.
- Engage in courageous advocacy.
- Enjoy moments of stillness, prayer and reflection.
- Articulate our Christian vision and values.
- Grow as resilient, curious, respectful and accountable members of their community.
Through our Christian vision and The St Mary's Way, we seek to nurture children who flourish academically, socially and spiritually, enabling them to truly experience "life in all its fullness."
Our School Prayer
Oh Lord,
Bless our school,
That learning together
And playing together
We may live life in all its fullness.
In the name of Jesus.
Amen.
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
John 10:10
At Tickhill St Mary's, we are committed to helping every child grow in wisdom, hope, faith and love as they journey with us, discovering their unique place within God's world and learning to live life in all its fullness.