Spirituality is not a word or a feeling - it’s about the whole: developing the tangible and intangible moments that help shape our ideas, values and beliefs. We want our children to feel like they belong first and foremost.

The Golden Glue 

This image introduces spirituality through the analogy of Kintsugi: the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using golden glue, making it more beautiful. The bible talks about God as a potter and how everyone is the work of God, all unique, all special.

Just as pots can change when damaged, people can have experiences that alter them. 

The golden glue explores how these experiences can be ‘filled with gold’ and reflect the wonder of spirituality:

• Wows - those awe and wonder moments when we respond with a ‘wow!’

• Ows - when something goes wrong and threatens our comfort. 

• Nows - our ordinary, quiet moments where we stop and listen and where we are learning to be present and be thankful.

We believe that no matter what happens, spirituality is like the golden glue that mends us. The language of spirituality explores relationships with ourselves, others, the wider natural world and beyond. 

The children encounter a range of opportunities to develop their own spiritual journey: through our curriculum, through collective worship and when other opportunities arise.

At St Andrew’s we recognise that Spirituality is an ongoing, reflective journey.

To foster reflective thinking, we have adopted and adapted the Windows, Mirrors and Doors approach when thinking about Spiritual development in our Collective Worship:

Religious Education is a subject that looks at the spiritual experiences of others and how these change and shape their lives. RE allows children to use what they find out about other people and their beliefs to reflect on their own experiences. Through this process, children can engage with ultimate questions of meaning and purpose and begin to shape their own beliefs. RE allows children to engage with the idea of mystery and questions with no clear answers.

The wider curriculum also provides opportunities for spiritual development. 

Planning indicates where the children’s learning will provide opportunities for spiritual reflection. For further information, please see our St Andrew’s Spiritual Development Policy below.