Spirituality at Backwell C of E Junior School

At Backwell C of E Junior School, spirituality is not an add-on to education—it is the heartbeat of the school’s ethos. It is shaped by a Christian understanding of human identity, divine grace, and the sacredness of life. The school’s vision—Nurturing God's Image, Growing our Gifts and Sharing in Wonder—is a theological statement that informs how every member of the community is seen, supported, and inspired.

1. Nurturing God's Image

The belief that every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) is foundational. This doctrine affirms that each child, staff member, and parent carries within them a sacred dignity. It is not merely a moral or philosophical idea—it is a spiritual truth that demands reverence and care.

• Spiritual Implications: To recognise God's image in others is to treat them as sacred. It means that every act of kindness, every moment of listening, and every gesture of respect is a form of worship.
• Educational Practice: The school cultivates an environment where children are not judged by their achievements alone, but are valued for who they are. Relationships are built on love, empathy, and mutual respect.
• Community Impact: This vision extends beyond pupils to include staff, families, and the wider community. Everyone is seen as a bearer of God’s image, deserving of compassion and inclusion.

2. Growing Our Gifts

Christianity teaches that life itself is a gift, given freely by a loving God. This grace is not earned—it is received. In this light, every talent, ability, and moment of growth is a response to divine generosity.

• Spiritual Implications: Gifts are not just skills—they are signs of God’s presence in our lives. To grow our gifts is to honour the Giver.
• Educational Practice: The school encourages children to explore their strengths, passions, and interests. Effort is celebrated, not just outcomes. Pupils are supported to flourish in ways that reflect their unique calling.
• Theological Balance: While striving for excellence is encouraged, it is balanced with the understanding that worth is not tied to achievement. This protects children from the pressure of perfectionism and affirms that they are loved regardless of performance.

3. Sharing in Wonder

Wonder is the spiritual posture of awe, humility, and curiosity. It is the response to encountering something greater than ourselves—whether in nature, learning, relationships, or worship.

• Spiritual Implications: Wonder is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). It opens the heart to mystery, beauty, and the presence of God in all things.
• Educational Practice: The school fosters a culture where children are encouraged to ask big questions, marvel at creation, and engage deeply with the world around them. Wonder is cultivated through science, art, poetry, and collective worship.
• Ecological Responsibility: Wonder leads to care. When children see the world as sacred and beautiful, they are more likely to protect it. This links spirituality with environmental stewardship.

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Living the Vision Through Values

The school’s values—the “Backwell B’s”—are practical expressions of this spiritual vision:

• Be Kind
  “We act with love, care and respect for others, seeking every opportunity to love one another as Christ loved us.”
  This value reflects the belief in the sacredness of each person. Kindness is not just politeness—it is a spiritual discipline rooted in recognising God's image in others.

• Be Our Best
  “We challenge ourselves to give our best effort in every task, trusting that God will bless the works of our hands, hearts and minds.”
  This value honours the gifts we’ve been given. It encourages children to grow and share their talents, not for self-glory, but as a response to God’s grace.

• Be Responsible
  “We see the world as wonderful, and so we always take responsibility for our choices and seek to protect ourselves, our neighbours and the integrity of creation.”
  This value connects wonder with action. It teaches children that awe leads to care, and that responsibility is a spiritual calling.

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Spirituality in Practice

Virtues

Spirituality is not just about beliefs—it’s about habits. The school encourages virtues such as kindness, patience, gratitude, and courage. These are lived out in daily interactions, classroom routines, and moments of challenge.

Curriculum and Worship

Spirituality is embedded in the curriculum through opportunities for reflection, creativity, and exploration. Collective worship is a space where wonder is nurtured, gifts are celebrated, and God’s image is affirmed in every child.

A Whole-Community Vision

This spiritual framework is not limited to pupils. It includes staff, families, and the wider community. Everyone is invited to participate in a shared journey of growth, grace, and wonder.

Pupil Chaplains

We are incredibly lucky to work closely with St Andrew's Church who help us to train and support our wonderful Backwell Junior School Pupl chaplains. These Year 5 and 6 pupils help to run worship sessions both in school and in church and are a highly visible and supportive part of our church school community.

Reflection areas in our classrooms

Each of our classrooms has a reflection area where the children can spend quiet time. They each have prayer box too which the children use to post their prayers into. 

Also, each class has a book of prayers they write at the start of each year and read daily to worship as a class.

Over the course of the year teachers add children's RE work to the areas, work from Church Days and our school values work.