Spirituality at Buckingham Park
Our spirit is a part of us, not a physical part, that consists of our character and feelings. The word originates from the Latin, ‘spiritus’ meaning breath. Therefore, to be spiritual is to ‘breathe’ or exist.
Spirituality, or to be spiritual, therefore, is actions relating to our thoughts and beliefs, being concerned with reflection, opinions, our own space in the world and our soul.
As a church school, spiritual development is separate from Moral, Social and Cultural development. In our school, we use the model of Windows, Doors and Mirrors to demonstrate our ability find planned and spontaneous opportunities to be spiritual.
Spirituality, or to be spiritual, therefore, is actions relating to our thoughts and beliefs, being concerned with reflection, opinions, our own space in the world and our soul.
As a church school, spiritual development is separate from Moral, Social and Cultural development. In our school, we use the model of Windows, Doors and Mirrors to demonstrate our ability find planned and spontaneous opportunities to be spiritual.
What does this look like at Buckingham Park?
At Buckingham Park there are many planned and spontaneous opportunities for children to explore Windows, Doors and Mirrors across the curriculum. Please see below a snapshot of some of these opportunities across the school.
Year Group |
Subject |
Windows |
Doors |
Mirrors |
Reception |
Maths |
Engaging in whole school maths week activities, NumBots online platform usage, EYFS Maths Curriculum and provision |
NSPCC maths days, Modelling provision, Small group activity, Cooking to explore measurement, Child led data collection and management, opportunities to vote on class book |
Reflection time start of lesson to Talking Points in Power Maths, in plenary and through questioning in continuous provision, |
Year 3 |
Art & Design |
Stone Age cave paintings, exploring different artists and watching pneumatics in action. |
Waddesdon Manor trip to see lanterns, Planning and trailing to make own pneumatic toy. Eating food they wouldn't normally try. |
Reflect on artwork. What technique did they enjoy? What would they like to do next time? Reflect on projects and what went well and what could have gone better. What would they do next time? |
Year 6 |
PE |
Watching sporting events e.g. World Cup and sweepstake. |
Wheelchair basketball, outside sports coaches (Basketball) inter-school competitions, multi-sports trips. Getting athletes in to speak |
Reflecting on individual exercise and its impact on the body and mental health |
Collective Worship and Spirituality
Collective Worship is a crucial and important part of the life of our school. It is worth recognising that Spirituality is not tied inextricably to religion; we all have opportunities to be spiritual in school and out of school irrespective of our religious beliefs. That being said, Collective Worship provides a useful vehicle for promoting spirituality.
Through different worship times, we offer children opportunities to lead and engage in discussion about things on a local, national and international level, opening doors and windows into other world experiences. Through the use of song and music, we offer multicultural and inter-genre opportunities for children to experience diversity in an inclusive and invitational setting. Through prayer, and opportunities to pause and reflect, we allow children to consider their own thoughts, opinions and feelings by looking in the ‘mirrors’ these opportunities pose.
Through different worship times, we offer children opportunities to lead and engage in discussion about things on a local, national and international level, opening doors and windows into other world experiences. Through the use of song and music, we offer multicultural and inter-genre opportunities for children to experience diversity in an inclusive and invitational setting. Through prayer, and opportunities to pause and reflect, we allow children to consider their own thoughts, opinions and feelings by looking in the ‘mirrors’ these opportunities pose.
