Here at Barmby Moor CE Primary School we have thought long and hard about what spirituality means for our children, as well as our staff and whole school community.   

What is Spirituality?

Whilst the concept of spirituality is difficult to define, here at Barmby Moor, our shared definition sees the concept as central to what makes us truly human. There is an understanding that there is much awe and wonder in the world, along with a sense that we are all part of something greater. In essence, it refers to a connectedness to and appreciation of the wider world and our place within it. Spirituality is felt within ourselves by individuals and so cannot be taught or measured - instead being something that needs to be nurtured and given the right conditions and space to grow. We acknowledge that spirituality is deeply personal and so we afford every individual with the space and opportunity to develop along their own spiritual journey.

Our shared understanding of opportunities to encourage spiritual development draws upon the work of Liz Mills, who uses the concept of a ring doughnut to explain Spirituality.  The Doughnut represents the Whole Child. The outer ring is the tangible (Mind and Body), the hole represents the intangible (Spirit) but if there was no hole it wouldn’t be a doughnut. This, for us, remains perhaps the best definition of spiritual development; it is the exploration and development of that hole in our centre that makes us whole.

Spirituality Policy 2022

[pdf 674KB]