Spirituality at Dagnall CofE School
What is spirituality?
At Dagnall Church of England School, we define spirituality as:
The ability to slow down, reflect and connect with ourselves, others, the world and beyond. Rooted in love, we seek meaning by being curious, questioning and experiencing awe and wonder.
We follow the four domain model for spiritual flourishing put forward by Andrew Rickett who suggests that ‘spirituality is the act of being fully human by discovering and revealing ourselves through love.’ He suggests that there are four aspects of spirituality:
Self – Learning to connect with and love ourselves: Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of their concept of self as a unique human being.
Others – Learning to connect with and love others: Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of their relationships with others showing empathy, concern and compassion.
Beauty and the natural world – Learning to connect with and love the world: Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of a physical and creative world
Beyond - Learning to connect with and love God: Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the unexplainable and experiences beyond the everyday, seeking meaning for existence in the greater scheme of things.
Reflection Spaces
Classroom Reflection Spaces
Having the opportunity to reflect is essential in developing children's spiritual awareness of themselves and the world around them. Each classroom has a quiet area designed to support children to think, resolve conflict, answer big questions or pray. These areas are set up by the children during class collective worship and then are used and build up throughout the half term.
Whole School Reflection Spaces
Our beautiful spiritual garden is used by children throughout the school day, including play times and lunch times for a peaceful place to enjoy the sensory herbs and wildlife attracting plants, sit calmly with friends, read a book or pray.
At key points throughout the year, our school hall is transformed and children across the school have the opportunity to take part in a reflection space. This is a series of activities (which the children help to create) which encourage children to answer big questions or engage with big topics.
Our Spiritual Garden
