‘I have come that they may have life in all its fullness.’ John 10:10

Many people assume that spirituality is to do with Collective Worship, Religious Education or RSE and therefore it tends to be put into those boxes. However, in reality, it should influence and permeate all areas of school life.

Spirituality at St. Andrew’s is about our relationships with each other, our family, friends, those around us in our community and with God. Pupils’ spiritual development is the glue that binds our school together. It is the development of each child’s sense of meaning, purpose and connection in life. It is about nurturing the inner self and enabling children to explore life’s big questions — about who we are, why we are here, how we should live, and how we relate to others, the natural world and, within our Christian foundation, to God.

Spirituality is experienced through moments of awe and wonder, reflection, creativity, compassion, and the appreciation of beauty, goodness and love. It is not limited to religious belief, but is an integral part of the human experience that we seek to recognise and develop in every member of our school community.

At St Andrew’s, we believe that every person is made in the image of God and therefore has infinite worth and potential. Our work to promote spiritual development is rooted in this Christian understanding of the whole child.

How Spirituality Impacts the work of St Andrew’s

Spirituality is woven through all aspects of school life at St Andrew’s and influences the ethos, curriculum and relationships within our school community.

1. Vision and Values

Our Christian vision and values shape everything we do. We aim to provide a rich and inclusive environment where every child can flourish spiritually, morally, socially and academically. Our ethos reflects Jesus’s teaching that we should love one another, and our community is built on love, peace, respect, forgiveness, commitment and compassion.

2. Worship and Reflection

Daily collective worship provides opportunities for stillness, prayer and reflection, helping children to explore faith and consider life’s deeper meanings. These moments allow pupils to encounter God’s presence and to reflect on how Christian values can be lived out in daily life.

3. Curriculum and Learning

Spiritual development is promoted across the whole curriculum — through wonder in science, creativity in the arts, teamwork in PE, empathy in literature and reflection in RE and RSE. Teachers plan experiences that inspire curiosity, imagination and a sense of connection to something greater than themselves.

4. Relationships and Community

The way we treat one another reflects our Christian understanding of spirituality. We value each and every person as a child of God, and we foster relationships built on kindness, respect and service. Children are encouraged to care for others and to contribute positively to the life of the school, the church and the wider community.

5. Moral and Ethical Development

Spirituality underpins our moral purpose. It helps pupils and adults make thoughtful and ethical decisions guided by Christian teaching. Through reflection and discussion, we encourage all members of our community to consider how their actions express love, justice and integrity.

At St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, spirituality is at the heart of our mission to provide education rooted in Christian faith. It shapes our vision, informs our practice, and enables every member of our community to “live life in all its fullness” (John 10:10).

Why we chose this bible verse to be representative of our school vision?

At St Andrew’s, John 10:10 signifies a mission to develop the whole child by fostering a community where everyone feels safe, valued and can flourish beyond their academic achievement, inspiring schools to guide pupils towards a life of joy, purpose and wholeness through shared Christian values.

The verse teaches that true life is not defined by wealth or worldly success but by a deeper, more meaningful existence found in God. 

The central message is that Jesus came to give "life, and have it to the full" or "abundantly". This is a life that is complete, joyful, purposeful and eternal, not just a collection of possessions or superficial happiness. 

• We use the teachings from John 10:10 to inform our curriculum, our pastoral support programmes and the daily interactions we have with children and each other, ensuring that our vision aligns with Christian principles. 

• We integrate this verse into our school ethos; our mission is to ensure every child experiences joy, hope and aspiration, leading to a life of fullness. This is a direct reflection of the abundant life Jesus offers. 

• We focus on developing the whole child—educationally, socially, spiritually, emotionally and intellectually—rather than solely focusing on academic performance.

• We create a safe, caring and supportive environment where children feel known and valued.

• Our school vision is rooted in a call to serve the common good, using Christian values (see our values hand) as a guiding framework.

• This bible verse inspires staff and pupils to work together to create a community of trust, where everyone's contribution is valued and respected.