Our Christian ethos is a key influencer in the positive relationships we hold dear in our school community. We celebrate our unique ethos and seek to encourage every child to recognise they are loved and valued by us and God. The links with our local church, St Michael's and All Angels, are valued and we aim to contribute to both church and community. We feel strongly that:

‘Church schools have a reputation for securing transformational outcomes for young people by combining academic rigour with a rounded approach to personal development, rooted in the worship and other shared practices that characterise the life of their community.’  Quote taken from the Church of England’s vision for education: ‘Deeply Christian, serving the common good’

School Definition of Spirituality

Through delving into current thinking, learning through training from diocesan experts and much discussion with staff and children, we believe that this simple definition sums up what spirituality means to us as a school community:

'Spirituality is the light inside us that helps us notice, wonder and care.'

The work of Dr Lisa Miller, detailed in her books 'The Spiritual Child' and 'The Awakened Brain', has prompted us to reflect on how we encourage everyone at Winterbourne Earls to nurture a child's spiritual curiosity and exploration so they perceive more choices and opportunities, feel more connected to others open to insights and in tune with life's purpose and meaning. We love this quote too by Rabbi Hugo Gryn:

Delighting in all things

Being absorbed in the present moment

Not too attached to ‘self’ and

Eager to explore boundaries of ‘beyond’ and ‘other’

Searching for meaning

Discovering purpose

                                                                                            Open to more?

 

We aim to develop children who are consciously spiritual, aware of who they are, what they believe and what they are capable of. We discuss spirituality within the framework of 'In, Out and Beyond'. The icons were designed with the support of children from Faith Committee.

How we aim to develop a strong sense of spirituality

• Celebrating our school vision, recognising it is at the heart of our school offer
• Constantly reaffirm the importance of relationships, showing this by how we talk to and relate positively with each other. Encourage our mantra ‘Be Ready, Respectful and Kind.’
• Developing and nurturing a sense of belonging.
• Encouraging all to recognise, reflect on, live out and celebrate our core values.
• Providing opportunities to build self-worth through our ‘Ethic of Excellence’, positive feedback, affirmation, reflection guided by adults, identification of key personal values
• Celebrating success as a school community - termly Citizenship Awards and cups and weekly Headteacher certificates in Celebration Worship
• Recognising children who are brilliant role models in being ‘Ready, Respectful and Kind’ through invitations to weekly Headteacher Hot Chocolate
• Embracing mistakes as a key step in the process of learning and celebrating this as a positive way of growth.
• Encouraging our school community to actively demonstrate kindness, care and compassion, and to express these in practical ways. eg: how we treat each other every day; raising money for charity.
• Being thankful and having an attitude of gratitude
• Valuing and utilising opportunities for developing relationships through play at breaktime, understanding everyone’s needs are different.
• Encourage all to admit mistakes and to say sorry using restorative conversations modelled frequently by adults.
• Providing frequent opportunities for children to explore, express and share feelings and beliefs particularly through RE, PSHE, Worship
• Having regular opportunities in the day for quiet and reflection. This might be in Collective Worship, listening to a story, enjoying music, going for a walk or sitting still.
• Providing many opportunities for expressing creativity and using the imagination. Exploring new ideas.
• Singing often with others, with practices in Praise Worship focusing on the joy of togetherness and community.
• Encouraging regular moments of prayer. This can take many forms but should include being thankful and saying sorry. Allowing children the opportunity to be reflective and open themselves to someone greater, like God.
• Celebrating opportunities to express awe and wonder, appreciating beauty in all its forms, the connections and unity in the world.
• Noticing life is special.
• Providing opportunities to reflect on challenging aspects of life, including sadness and loss
• Exploring and asking ‘Big Questions’ across the curriculum
• Using a range of resources to ensure the best possible experiences are open to everyone in school eg dance, art, music, sport, outdoor learning
• Reading often to children and giving them opportunities to discuss and reflect
• Adults demonstrating ‘deliberate botheredness’, ensuring all feel valued and cared for
• Considering how we can be ‘the change we want to be’ by focusing on our wider school community

These were our staff thoughts from training and discussions on spirituality:

Spirituality is

• Helping us become who we are

• Not synonymous with religion. All areas of the curriculum may contribute to people’s spiritual development

• Driving us to seek and stay true to values not ruled by material success

• Being present

• Time for quiet and time for being absorbed into the present moment

• Being eager to explore, open to more and different

• Discovering purpose

• Delighting in things that give you joy- what makes your heart sing?

• Being thankful for people being part of my journey

• Believing that an experience will shape me and make me better

• Being part of something bigger than self

• About wonder-thinking and being wowed

Remembrance 2025

On Tuesday, 11th November the whole school gathered in the hall to take part in the annual Service of Remembrance including the national two minutes silence.  The service was led by our Bourne Forces children and was well attended by a number of parents - some in uniform - and members of the local community.    The Last Post and Reveille were beautifully played by Stanley on the clarinet and the Winterbourne Military Children’s Choir sang a beautiful rendition of In Flanders Field.

Following the service a number of our military parents visited with each class to talk of their own experiences during their  service and to answer the children’s questions.