Faith at All Saints
Meet our Pupil Chaplainsโฆ
Mrs Flatman
R.E. and Worship Lead
Father Andrew
Rector of All Saints Church
Spirituality at All Saints
Windows - where pupils learn about life and new things; Mirrors - where pupils look at themselves and how they want to live; Doors - making choices and changes
We believe that spirituality is something that is woven into everything we do at All Saints, whether that be Collective Worship, services in All Saints Church, reflecting on the long histories of our church and school, learning about the wider world, caring for one another, celebrating our achievements in and out of school, looking after our school and local area, visiting new places, meeting new people, reflecting on our values, feelings, emotions and behaviour, discussing our rights, debating things we canโt see, forming our own beliefs, listening and appreciating new and different ideas, reflecting in prayer, working and giving for charity, accepting new challenges, creating new thingsโฆ In this way, we believe that all our children can have their own journey, but one shared and understood at different times with others.
Self
Spiritual learners reflect on the relationship that they have with their sense of being a unique person.
Children are born inquisitive and it is our duty to nurture this natural curiosity and their perception of themselves as a unique person. We want to encourage children to ask โbig questionsโ about life, religion, nature, science and any other area of fascination.
Others
Spiritual learners reflect on how their values and principles affect their relationships with others.
We provide many opportunities for children to learn about the concept of others: to develop empathy, concern and compassion of how to treat others. Through our Christian Values, we teach children to care for friends, family and the community. Indeed, our curriculum includes learning about those we love and who love us.
Beauty
Spiritual learners explore their understanding of beauty and the affect this has on their perception of and relationship with the world.
We encourage a growing relationship with the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Through science and topic work, children learn about the world and how they can care for and protect our world.
Beyond
Spiritual learners search for meaning in their very existence and their place in the greater scheme of things.
Children search for meaning in their very existence and their place in the greater scheme of things.
These are some of the specific spiritual capacities that we aim to develop:
Be self-aware and empathise with the experience of others in the school and wider community
Be guided by their beliefs and values and be willing to take a stand to defend them
Love themselves, care for themselves, believe in their potential to achieve and find inner strength and resilience when facing challenges
Exercise imagination and creativity, appreciate beauty in the world and be alive to experiences of awe and wonder
Be intrigued by mystery and be open to an awareness of the transcendent in the whole of life
Be comfortable with stillness and silence and be open to engage in reflection/meditation/prayer
Be ready to say sorry when mistakes are made, to forgive themselves and to forgive others
Be willing to take risks and to reflect, learn and grow following experiences of failure as well as success
Demonstrate curiosity and open mindedness when exploring lifeโs big questions
Appreciate and be thankful for what is good in their lives and show generosity towards others
Messy Church
Messy Church is a form of church for children and adults that involves creativity, celebration and hospitality.
It's primarily for people who don't already belong to another form of church.
It meets at a time (and sometimes in a place) that suits people who don't already belong to church.
It typically includes a welcome, a long creative time to explore the biblical theme through getting messy; a short celebration time involving story, prayer, song, games and similar; and a sit-down meal together at tables. All elements are for, and should include, people of all ages, adults and children.
It's fun.
It's a church for people at all stages of their faith journey and of any age - a congregation that is as valuable and worthy of investment as any of your other congregations.
It models and promotes good ways of growing as a family: a nuclear family, an extended family, and a global and local church family.
Its aim is to introduce Jesus, to give an opportunity to encounter him and to grow closer to him.
Messy Church is part of BRF (Christian charity) which believes, with the historic churches, in one God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Messy Church is resourced, supported and enabled by BRF.
How do church primary schools facilitate opportunities for childrenโs exploration of faith and spiritual life in the home?
The Faith in the Nexus research project has identified the fruitful ways in which twenty church primary schools (working in collaboration with churches and other interested stakeholders) facilitate opportunities for the exploration of childrenโs faith/spiritual life in the home.
The research findings emerged from research focus group interviews with 450 participants (pupils, parents & staff), and an online survey with 1000 participants across 20 church primary schools in England.
Research team: Dr Ann Casson, Dr Sabina Hulbert, Dr Mary Woolley & Prof Bob Bowie