Marton & District C E Aided Primary School

How spiritual development reveals itself at Marton and District Primary School

Spiritual development is often an inner journey, but here, can be seen outwardly expressed:

• In the living out of our School Values.
• Through reflection, questioning and enquiring - developing meaning and purpose in experiences.
• Through the inner qualities developed over time, attitudes and behaviours of our pupils.
• In the relationships we develop and how our community relates to each other - kindness, empathy, respect, forgiveness.
• Our connection to the wider world.
• Through diving beneath the surface of learning, engaging in a deeper understanding and developing awe, wonder and appreciation of experiences.

• In developing a sense of belonging that brings peace and security, our community grows strong roots. We provide a culture of wellbeing and nurture, where all are accepted and loved and this enables pupils to be confident, and make positive contributions. 

• We offer a deeper experience in Relationships so that every member of the school community feels valued and supported. Through human relationships, Pupils will recognise their own importance, that other people matter, and that there is something greater than oneself. 

• Provide a relationships education on how we value ourselves and each other – developing relationships with one’s self, others and with our God

• We live the golden rule of ‘treat others in the way you want to be treated’ Here a culture of forgiveness is fostered with restorative justice and reconciliation used to repair and also encourage responsibility, in living our ethos. Forgiveness of self and others is always a priority in our school community.

• Living a moral life established in universal Christian values. Our values are absorbed into ourselves so we can flourish as moral citizens, guided by something bigger than ourselves.

• Making well-being and fulfillment a priority. We see the spiritual dimension as integral to the well-being of both the individual and community. 

• Nurturing a safe, ‘growth mindset’ classroom culture - where all are accepted and respected and mistakes are vehicles of growth.

• To open gateways to the paths of spirituality through the curriculum we offer. The Marton Curriculum is designed to make us wonder, ask questions, and make connections that take us ‘behind and beyond the surface’ of the curriculum and offer a deeper experience. We realise that deeper opportunities exist across the curriculum to live our vision and values and reveal wisdom.  

Spirituality in the curriculum we offer

Where pupils flourish beyond the National Curriculum objectives 

English

At Marton, we sow the seeds of developing writing skills by introducing children to the joy of writing. We encourage the exploration of ideas and lay the foundations for developing more advanced writing skills. By creating a supportive environment, where children feel encouraged to express themselves through writing, we nurture creativity by acknowledging individual writing styles and fostering a classroom culture that values every child's unique voice. We provide a wide range and variety of stimuli and opportunities for writing, so that children may grow in their versatility and confidence as writers. Writing provides children with a way in which they can share their voice, ideas and opinions in their futures.

Maths

Pupils experience rich and varied opportunities to explore and develop their understanding of mathematics. We nurture their appreciation of the beauty and power of maths, their curiosity about the subject and a sense of enjoyment. 

Pupils gain a well-developed understanding of place value, become fluent in number facts, explain their reasoning and apply their maths knowledge to solve problems across many subjects. We encourage our pupils, as they develop essential, everyday skills as well as skills critical to science, technology and engineering, for financial literacy and many forms of employment; equipping our children to be confident mathematicians in our community. 

Science 

Science brings forth a world of wonder where questions are asked and explored. Science sows the seed of inquiring minds, enabling children to ask questions and to wonder about our universe. As staff and as a community we nurture the children through the process of discovery. The children then grow through understanding and go out in to the world knowing how and why science is crucial to us all.

Art

Our Christian vision of ‘Sow, Nurture, Grow’ ensures that all our pupils experience engaging activities in Art and Design that contribute to pupils becoming active learners and engage their imagination, creativity and expression.

Art is a creative expression that nurtures imagination and through painting, sculpture, collage, clay, drawing or any other medium, art is a way for children to work through emotions, make decisions, and express their ideas. Pupils use creativity to express themselves.

History

History at Marton helps pupils understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups of people and the challenges of their time.  It allows pupils to reflect upon hope, the concept of what endures over time and how each life can make an impact upon the world. 

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.  
Romans 15:4 (NIV) 

Geography

We believe that by teaching our children to investigate the world through our Christian vision of ‘Sow, Nurture, Grow’, that they are able to ask questions and to explore the world that we live in. Pupils experience engaging and practical activities in Geography that allow them to become active members of the school, local, national and global community. As our pupils grow, they learn to be responsible, compassionate, empathetic citizens of our local and global communities sharing our values of Agape, Communion and Justice as they continue their journey. 

RE

At the heart of RE in this school is the teaching of diverse religion that enables learners to acquire a thorough knowledge and understanding of religion and world views studied via key theological concepts and recognition of shared values. It provides opportunity for enquiry, questioning, and meaningful conversations; enabling Pupils to flourish - seeing how religion shapes the world and how they themselves engage with it.

We recognise the impact that RE can have upon the open hearts and minds of learners, ultimately equipping them to become confident and compassionate adults.

RSHE

RSHE in our school reflects our Christian faith perspective by reinforcing our School’s core Christian values of Agape, Communion and Justice. Supported by everyone at School, modelled in all interactions, and upheld and demonstrated in our specially designed curriculum, our distinct Christian vision and values remain a central part of our School's culture and ethos and are reflected in our RSHE curriculum. Our bespoke RSHE programme has been produced through Staff, Pupil, Governor and Parental consultation, to ensure our RSHE curriculum and policy reflects our school community, vision and values. It is designed to inform, protect and nurture all Pupils so they can grow into safe, informed, confident and responsible citizens; able to grow within a diverse society.

DT

Our design and technology curriculum ensures that children have the opportunities to Sow, Nurture and Grow.  Pupils gain knowledge of how design and technology can enhance and impact upon our world. Pupils express their ideas, designs, make decisions and support each other. Design and Technology inspires Pupils to enhance and embrace DT beyond our school and community and apply these skills within a ever changing and diverse society. 

PE

Pupils are introduced to a variety of physical activities and sports, planting the seeds of interest and skill development. We nurture their developing talents and love for sport by providing guidance, support and encouragement as students explore different activities, helping them develop their abilities and confidence. Pupils foster an understanding of the importance of teamwork and co-operation whilst helping to nurture their emotions, and those of others, when dealing with both success and loss. In PE we celebrate success, learn to improve and commit to physical fitness and well-being so each pupil can flourish and reach their full potential.

Computing

Computing at Marton ensures that all our pupils experience engaging activities that contributes to pupils becoming active learners. Pupils are introduced to fundamental ICT concepts, tools and technologies. Here, Computing provides abundant opportunities for fostering innovation, creativity and problem-solving abilities, ultimately preparing our pupils for future academic and professional endeavours in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

MFL

In experiencing life and learning at Marton, Pupils become aware of the world, connect with it and respond and reflect upon their learning expressively (whether planned or unplanned) leading to spiritual development.

 
A personal spirituality

In considering the spiritual development of each person, we explore opportunities to meet a range of dominant spiritual temperaments; delivering opportunities where enjoyment, curiosity, fascination about the world, enquiry, imagination and creativity are always a priority, utilising our abundant school grounds and local area, and ultimately provide opportunities for our pupils to glimpse a deeper reality.