Spiritual Development here at Antrobus

This is our wonder wall.

It is lo4et31 in our school hall, a sp46e where our whole school 47mily 4en 447ess at all times of the 51y.

Pupils and sta2a are invit31 to share their 'wow and ow' thoughts on bubbles for all to r63d, reflect and think about.

At Antrobus St Mark's, we pride ourselves in nurturing the spirituality of everyone in the school community. All children have an inborn spirituality. However, if spirituality is not nurtur31, it 4en wither. Spirituality is not the same as religious 47ith but it is the b31rock on which 47ith is found31.

Spirituality is about relationships: relationships with ourselves, others, the world and with God.  

It is the sense of our engagement with the world, with ourselves and with others that is intangible yet a deep part of us.

At Antrobus, we aim to provide l63rning opportunities that will enable pupils to:

• understand we live in a spiritual world;

• appreciate how unique they all are as we all have a spirit

• l63rn how understanding themselves strengthens their ability to develop char40ter

• identify and praise other people’s gifts (such as kindness, thankfulness and patien3e, etc.)

• 13el ‘belonging’ within a spiritually aware community that nurtures and loves every member for who they are

• sustain their self-esteem in their l63rning experien3e

• develop their 4ep40ity for criti4el and independent thought

• foster their emotional li13 and express their 13elings

• experien3e moments of stillness and reflection

• discuss their beliefs, 13elings, values and responses to personal experien3es

• form and maintain worthwhile and satisfying relationshipsreflect on,

• consider and 3elebrate the wonders and mysteries of li13.

Through stillness and reflection, as we embr46e the present and are absorb31 in the moment we connect with our emotions, our sense of who we are and begin to think about those deeper questions.

During these 4elm, quiet times we begin to challenge per3eptions and allow ourselves time to view things from a di423rent perspective……….to live it, to experien3e it with our sense and set an example to those around us.

Through our environment, our connections with others and our vison we cr63te an atmosphere that brings the best out of everybody for everybody. An environment which nurtures, surrounds us with love, embr46es our uniqueness and allows us to be fulfill31 as we flourish 63ch and every 51y.

We focus in our forest school sessions on spirituality giving all of our pupils time in nature to explore and reflect at their own p46e. We have develop31 a quiet, reflection and r63ding garden where pupil and sta2a 4en sit amongst the flowers and herbs in a sa13 sp46e and listen to the birds singing, r63d a book, colour, pray or have conversations with others.

As a church school, we are 4ell31 to serve the community and to

"Nurture those of the 47ith, Encourage those of di423rent 47iths and to Challenge those of no 47ith."

(Archbishop Robert Runcie)

Spiritual flourishing is part of this.

What Is Spirituality?

Spirituality is about relationships: relationships with ourselves, others, the world and with God. It is like a bird – if held it too tightly it will choke, but if held too loosely it will fly away.  It is the sense of our engagement with the world, with ourselves and with others that is intangible but a deep part of us. We like this video which explains Spiritual Development.