Spirituality
At Bentley Heath Church of England Primary School, spirituality is an essential part of who we are. It is woven through our curriculum, our Christian vision and the daily experiences of children and adults in our community. We see spirituality as the golden thread that runs through everything we do – shaping how we understand ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we make sense of the world around us.
Our Understanding of Spirituality
We recognise that spirituality can be difficult to define. To make it accessible for everyone, Bentley Heath uses the shared language and framework from our Spirituality Policy, developed with support from diocesan guidance.
At its heart, spirituality is about becoming increasingly aware of our inner life — the thoughts, emotions, questions and connections that shape our sense of meaning and purpose. It includes the moments that make us pause, wonder, reflect and grow.
Our Shared Language: Wows, Ows and Nows
We use these everyday words to help children talk about spiritual moments:
- Wows – experiences of awe, wonder, joy or beauty
- Ows – moments of sadness, challenge or hurt
- Nows – moments of stillness and presence, where we notice what is happening within and around us
These “cracks” in the pot of life — the breath‑taking, the painful and the ordinary — help us glimpse something greater than ourselves and invite us to reflect more deeply.
Children know that their wows, ows and nows will be heard and taken seriously throughout the day – in lessons, at playtime, during lunch, in prayer or during worship.
Spirituality in Daily School Life
Spiritual growth is not limited to RE or Collective Worship; it is present in all aspects of school life.
Throughout the school day, pupils are encouraged to:
- Notice beauty, joy and creativity
- Share feelings and thoughts safely
- Reflect on success, disappointment and change
- Respond to the world with compassion and curiosity
- Develop empathy and emotional literacy
- Experience stillness, silence and prayer
- Explore big questions about life, faith and meaning
Staff model this by using shared language, responding sensitively and creating an atmosphere where wonder, questioning and reflection are valued.
Spirituality in Our Curriculum
Spirituality is one of the six strands of the Bentley Heath Curriculum and is intentionally planned for across subjects.
Our curriculum seeks to:
- Nurture each pupil’s inner life
- Encourage emotional intelligence, moral development and ethical thinking
- Promote appreciation for creation, the arts and human creativity
- Build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging
- Inspire children to be advocates for justice, kindness and positive change
We want all pupils to leave Bentley Heath with the confidence to “go out into the world and make a difference,” rooted in the moral and spiritual foundations that our vision inspires.
Spirituality and Our Christian Vision
Spirituality at Bentley Heath is deeply connected to our Christian vision:
“Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
Because every person is seen as created, valued and purposeful, spirituality becomes a way of enabling children to:
- Recognise their own worth
- Understand the feelings and experiences of others
- Explore the beauty and complexity of the world
- Encounter stillness, reflection and prayer
- Grow in wisdom, empathy and compassion
Our theological foundation – seeing ourselves as lovingly formed, nurtured and held – shapes the way we support children through both joy and challenge.
Spirituality in Worship and Reflection
Collective Worship provides rich opportunities for spiritual development:
- Time for stillness and silence
- Story, Scripture and questions that spark reflection
- Space to respond creatively through art, prayer or discussion
- Opportunities to express gratitude, hope and wonder
- Moments of apology, forgiveness and reconciliation
- Celebrations of achievement, kindness and courage
Worship is always invitational and accessible, making space for every child’s individual journey.
Spirituality Outdoors
Children experience spirituality not only in classrooms but also in nature:
- Quiet reflection in outdoor spaces
- Awe and wonder in Forest School or through exploration of our Conservation Area
- Noticing seasons, growth and the natural world
- Opportunities to pause and breathe in our grounds
- Visiting our animals
Staff CPD also includes “spirituality in nature,” helping adults feel confident modelling and facilitating this for pupils.
Why Spirituality Matters
Spirituality helps our children become:
- Reflective and emotionally aware
- Hopeful and resilient
- Compassionate and empathetic
- Curious and open-minded
- Confident in who they are
- Equipped to engage with life’s joys and challenges
It supports their wellbeing, their moral development and their understanding of themselves and others.
Ultimately, spirituality helps our whole community “flourish” – academically, socially and spiritually – in line with our vision and values.