Windows, Mirrors and Doors

At Bretherton Endowed C of E Primary School we believe that spiritual development is a fundamental aspect of children's personal progress that exists beyond faith or religious affiliation.  We work to enable children to develop holistically in order that they become happy, fulfilled, spiritually aware, and socially and emotionally engaged.

At Bretherton, we develop spirituality by being creative and engaging, by enabling our pupils to connect with stories, by empowering our children to ask and respond to questions, by promoting play and creativity, by developing relationships, by providing a sense of belonging, and through the use of rituals and symbols.

We explore spirituality through Mirror, Door, Window and Candle Moments during collective worship and the wider school day.  Through these Spiritual Moments we provide opportunities for the children to 'pause for thought' and reflect  deeply. This enables them to think carefully about the world around them and to consider their role within it.

Windows Mirror and Doors

Our 'Windows, Mirrors and Doors' approach to spiritual development is a holistic and inclusive method that aims to support children to foster a deeper understanding of their lives and their place within it. It helps them to explore life's big questions, as well as develop a sense of meaning and purpose.

Windows - allow children to look out at the world to gaze and marvel. These are the 'wow' moments, those that we find amazing and bring a sense of wonder and awe.

Mirrors - give opportunities for children to reflect and to look inward to consider some of the big questions of life. They can explore their own insights and those of others.

Doors - Give opportunities for children to respond, to go through the door of a creative expression of their own thoughts and convictions. Children learn to live by putting into action what they believe.

Through this, spirituality becomes a living expression of our mission statement where we learn, grow, achieve and flourish together in God's love.

We have created images to help children recognise when we are exploring spirituality in the different ways.