Spiritual development is developing a deeper or richer sense of self, other, world and beyond. The ‘beyond’ is very specific to the individual. It may be a God or an abstract such as love, truth, respect, etc.

Spirituality is a powerful force that determines what we are, our self understanding, our outlook on life, others and the world, and as a consequence shapes our behaviour. It forms the basis for successful relationships both in personal life and at work.

In the North Wolds Federation, the spiritual dimension is expressed through the Christian faith and the recognition of the spiritual nature of mankind.

It is our aim that the children’s individual spiritual development should be fostered throughout the curriculum and permeate all strands of school life.

Our staff discussed what spirituality means to them. Responses included:

• Understanding your place in the world (part of the bigger picture)
• Invisible feelings
• Connection to the natural world
• Awe and wonder experiences
• Deep connectiveness in our community for everyone
• Acceptance of self
• Being inquisitive / reflective
• Togetherness and inclusivity 
• Can’t see / touch / feel it
• Connecting with something greater than ourselves
• Opportunity to flourish
• Connections – between all aspects of life on Earth and beyond

Spirituality is defined by our staff as:

• Enabling all our children, staff and members of the community to be part of our ever changing, diverse society
• Embarking on a journey of self warmth, reflection and providing our children with the skills they need to achieve their dreams and goals
• Spirituality is fostered in our school by supporting our children to nurture togetherness and inclusivity through shared opportunities to experience and question the wider world. 
• To create and share collective and individual experiences that embrace the wonder of the world around us, to reflect on our place in the world and to connect with others in our school and community. 

We use the symbols of windows, doors and mirrors to enable the children and adults to explore spirituality through these concepts: