Our Christian Vision

At St Gilbert of Sempringham Church of England Primary School, our Christian vision is rooted in the words of Jesus:

“He is the true vine, we are the branches” (John 15:5).

Just as branches grow strong and fruitful when connected to the vine, so our children thrive when rooted in God’s love. We believe that every child is uniquely created in God’s image, with gifts and potential to flourish. Our vision inspires us to provide a nurturing community where all can grow in wisdom, hope, dignity and love, bearing fruit that will make a difference in the world. Our children refer to this as having ‘fruitful lives’

Living Out Our Values

Our school values – Kind, Proud, Creative, Thoughtful, Hardworking, Togetherness – are the fruits of the vine we seek to live out every day. They shape our learning, our relationships, and our response to the world around us. Through these values, we encourage children to:

• show kindness and compassion,
• take pride in who they are and what they achieve,
• explore their creativity and imagination,
• be thoughtful and reflective,
• persevere with courage and resilience,
• celebrate belonging and community.

Worship and Spiritual Life

Daily collective worship is central to our life as a school family. It provides space for prayer, reflection, and encounter with God’s word. Worship draws on Bible stories, Christian teaching, and the rhythm of the Church year. It is invitational, inclusive, and inspiring, encouraging all pupils and staff to explore faith and life’s big questions.

Prayer is woven through our school day, with opportunities for stillness and reflection.

Spirituality

Our spirituality policy supports the four key SIAMS areas:

·       Vision and Leadership - Embedding our Christian vision that nurtures spiritual growth across the whole school community.

·       Wisdom, Knowledge and Skills - Encouraging deep reflection and critical thinking through spiritual enquiry, enriching pupils’ understanding of themselves, others, and God.

·       Character Development - Promoting the fruits of the Spirit and courageous advocacy, helping pupils to live out Christian values in practical ways.

·       Community and Living Well Together - Fostering empathy, respect, and responsibility towards others and the environment.

The Ofsted EIF highlights the importance of pupils’ personal development, including spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) growth. Our approach:

·       Provides regular opportunities for spiritual reflection and exploration, nurturing curiosity, resilience, and empathy.

·       Develops pupils’ ability to understand and respect diverse beliefs and viewpoints, preparing them for life in modern Britain.

·       Encourages positive attitudes and responsible behaviour that contribute to a healthy school culture.

Spirituality at our school

At our school, spirituality is at the heart of our Christian vision: We believe that every child has the ability to grow spiritually through encounters that inspire awe and wonder, opportunities to reflect, and the chance to respond through positive action. We aim for all members of our inclusive school community to feel valued and to fulfil their hopes and aspirations for the future, this includes their spiritual development. Our spirituality policy sets out how we nurture spiritual development for all pupils and adults in our community, in line with the SIAMS framework, the Church of England Vision for Education, and the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework.

Spirituality means different things to different people.

In our school, we define spirituality as:

“Spirituality is how we grow like branches on the vine - noticing what is around us (sowing), asking big questions (growing), and showing love through our actions (reaching). It helps us wonder about the world, connect with others, and find meaning in life.”

While rooted in Christian values and vision, our approach to spirituality welcomes pupils of all faiths and none. Although we have a shared definition as a school, we acknowledge spirituality will be understood and expressed differently by each child and adult, shaped by their faith, culture, background, and worldview. We create an environment where each child can explore meaning, purpose, and values in a way that respects their beliefs and encourages mutual understanding.

What is it?

At our school, we believe that it is important to provide all members of our community a range of opportunities to develop spiritually. We believe it is important that spirituality is not confined to RE or collective worship, but instead is woven through all aspects of our school.

As a school, we focus on the 4 concepts of spirituality:

Self – recognising our own feelings, thoughts, hopes feelings and values, asking why we feel this way, and considering how this will change our actions

Others – recognising the feelings, beliefs, and experiences of others, asking how they feel, and considering how we can make a difference.

World – noticing beauty, mystery and patterns in the world, wondering how and why they exist and work, and taking steps to protect, preserve, and celebrate the world around us.

Beyond – thinking about ideas, big questions, and teachings, questioning what this means for us, and deciding how this will influence our lives.

How do we do it?

Our curriculum is carefully designed to weave in opportunities for Sowing, Growing, and Reaching. Across all subjects, big questions and “I wonder…” moments spark curiosity and invite reflection. Children are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings through discussion, creative artwork, and personal reflection. Each day ends with a quiet moment for stillness and reflection, giving pupils space to pause and think.

Our reflection areas are open for children to use at any time during the day, whether to be still, practise mindfulness, pray, reflect, or express themselves. We are especially proud of our Forest School provision and outdoor spaces, which give children rich opportunities to experience beauty, connect with nature, and develop a deep sense of care for God’s creation.

Spirituality is deeply embedded in our collective worship and RE curriculum, which provide explicit, dedicated times for spiritual encounters:

• Collective Worship offers a shared space for reflection, prayer, and encountering Christian teachings, drawing on Bible stories and Christian festivals that inspire awe, wonder, and personal response.
• Religious Education enables pupils to explore big questions about faith, meaning, and purpose from Christian and other religious perspectives, fostering respectful understanding and spiritual enquiry.

These spiritual encounters are woven into the life of the school through our Sowing, Growing, and Reaching model, giving everyone a shared language for spirituality that shapes and supports all we do.

Sowing - “We sow the seed by noticing something powerful.”

This is the first step on our journey, when we open our eyes and really see the world around us. We notice the small details – like a tiny seed - and take time to stop, pay attention, and appreciate the awe and wonder of the world that God has created. This is when we notice and encounter something that inspires, challenges, or moves us.

Growing – “We grow strong by reflecting and asking questions.”

This is the next step as we grow spiritually. We engage and reflect upon what we have noticed and allow our natural curiosity to ask questions. We wonder why things happen, what they mean, and how they connect to God. We don’t expect to have all the answers, but we consider what this means for us.

Reaching – “We reach out our branches to make a difference.”

The final step on our spiritual journey encourages us to transform – like the seed into the tree – and consider what changes we are going to make in our own actions and lives. We take what we have noticed and thought about and use it to inspire us to live out our Christian values, become courageous advocates and make a difference. Our actions are like branches stretching out to share God’s love.

Why is it important?

Spirituality is a vital part of helping children and adults grow holistically. It gives us space and tools to explore life’s big questions - the kind without simple right or wrong answers. By reflecting on their feelings, beliefs, and values, we can become more self-aware and better prepared to face life’s challenges.

Spirituality also opens the door to understanding others’ perspectives, helping us to develop empathy, build healthy relationships, and live well in a diverse community. When we are encouraged to pause and notice the beauty of the world, we learn to show gratitude and care for creation.

Through spiritual reflection, we can connect what we believe and value with the way we live, forming a strong moral compass.

For Christians, spirituality is about becoming more like Jesus in thoughts, words, and actions - like branches staying connected to the vine. This growth produces the “fruits of the Spirit”: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

At our school, we aim to:

1.      Enable pupils to recognise and express spiritual moments in their own lives.

2.      Encourage awe, wonder, and curiosity about the world and God’s creation.

3.      Provide safe spaces for exploring life’s big questions and reflecting on personal beliefs.

4.      Foster empathy, respect, and responsibility for others and the environment.

5.      Encourage responses that lead to positive change in attitudes, relationships, and actions.

Supporting Spiritual Development for Staff

We recognise that spirituality is important for all members of our community, including staff. We provide opportunities for staff to nurture their own spiritual wellbeing through reflective practice, participation in collective worship, and professional development. This ensures staff are well-equipped and inspired to model spiritual growth and foster it effectively in pupils.