Spirituality is not a word, nor a feeling - it's about the whole. This means, first and foremost, that the children feel like they belong. It is only when they feel safe that they will feel comfortable enough to have the thought- provoking moments, to stop and listen, to allow themselves to feel the excitement, the awe and wonder!

At Shottery St Andrew’s, spirituality is about helping children reflect on their experiences, explore life’s big questions, and develop a sense of awe, wonder, and gratitude. A key feature of our curriculum is our spirituality model, developed collaboratively by staff and governors. It is based on the relational model, which has been tailored to our context using Ow’s, Wow’s, and Now’s: Ow’s for experiences that are challenging or provoke empathy, Wow’s for experiences that inspire awe and curiosity, and Now’s for experiences that connect learning and reflection to action in the present. This model is reinforced through the SONG framework (Self, Others, Nature, God), helping children explore spirituality in relation to themselves, others, creation, and God.

Over the past year, Collective Worship has also been redesigned to be inclusive, invitational, and inspiring, guided by our Christian vision and SHINE values, with pupils actively shaping sessions through the Worship Committee. Enriched by links with St Andrew’s Church, visiting groups, and off-site experiences, worship provides opportunities for drama, music, prayer, and quiet reflection, enabling children to develop spiritual curiosity, confidence in expressing their beliefs, empathy, moral awareness, and a personal connection to their faith, while fostering personal growth and wellbeing for both pupils and adults.

We have captured just a snapshot of what Spirituality means to us at Shottery St Andrew's CofE Primary School, where the children have experienced SONG through the following...

• Nurture
• Community events         
• Making connections           
• Freedom
• Discovery           
• Memorable experiences             
• A sense of belonging           
• Having fun!

What spirituality means to us...