Life in all its fullness - flourishing together!
Our curriculum and ethos facilitates planned and unplanned experiences which may support the spiritual development of all children and adults involved in the life of the school. Experiences enable everyone to foster:-
a sense of self; of being a unique person and understanding self-perception
a sense of others; how empathy, concern, compassion and other values and principles affect all our relationships
an awareness of our world and its beauty; perceiving and relating to the physical and creative world through responses to nature and art
an awareness of beyond; relating to the transcendental and understanding experiences and meaning outside our ‘everyday’
In History, we encourage children to ask ‘how?’ and ‘why?’ developing an appreciation for the thought and ideas that came before us. A sense of curiosity is central to our learning in History and is strongly encouraged. Spiritual development is encouraged by providing pupils opportunities to appreciate intangible concepts. The idea of truth is central to all History lessons that use sources. Differing interpretations of sources, both primary and secondary, form a part of all key stages and we encourage pupils to reflect on their application of their learning. A sense of empathy is consistently extended in lessons. We consider the human elements of history and ask children ‘how would you feel?’, ‘what would you do?’ and ‘how would you react?’
Spiritual education in Science involves children inthe search for meaning and purpose in both natural and physical phenomena. It is the wonder about what is special about life, an awe at the scale of living things from the smallest micro-organism to the largest living thing. Beginning to realise the interdependence of all living things and materials of the Earth leads children to awe and wonder when delivered with energy, creativity and enthusiasm. The emotional hunger to know more and to wonder more about the world and appreciate its wonders including for example the enormity of the expanse of space and the beauty of natural objects - leaves, plants, animals, crystals, rainbows etc. Our Learning from the Land Week takes place annually and is planned to immerse children in lots of outdoor experiences, time to be still, time to question and investigate - time to go 'Wow!'
Geography at Salesbury is taught 'through the soles of our feet,' Through our teaching and learning in Geography we have ample opportunities to find out more about the world in which they live, the people and the relationship with the environment. Children have the opportunity to explore their own feelings about the people, culture, place and environments developing a sense of citizenship, of responsibility and of stewardship. We seek to enable children to stop, notice and look again - to find out more about what we have looked at and perhaps never seen!
Music brings joy and a vibrancy to our school environment. Singing is interwoven into each and every day. Music and song bring us together as a school family to praise God. We nurture and celebrate the musical development of all children providing them with rich opportunities to perform, practice and appreciate. Music generates an emotional response in ourselves and others. The children are taught how music can be a comfort and support to those in need and promote a sense of unity and harmony. We celebrate music in our local community - singing at our local rest homes; within the parish; as part of larger performances and at the Light up a Life concert.
Appreciating the accomplishments of the human mind and body is fundamental to learning within Design and Technology. Using our sense of enquiry, our curiosity and creativity to appreciate, to design and to make can be inspiring and illuminating. Children are encouraged to see the greatest that has been said and done, but also to appreciate the failures on the voyage of discovery. Children are encouraged to reflect carefully to evaluate their own performance and provide positive critique to their peers to support growth.
Children are encouraged to continually reflect on their own lives and the lives of others as they explore the world of computing.
Computing provides opportunities for awe and wonder about the achievements in ICT today and the many possibilities for the future. It enables the children to have the opportunity to reflect on how computers can sometimes out perform better in certain activities than people and the implications of this. To promote children's spiritual development, their sense of self and their will to achieve are nurtured. Through our teaching of online safety, we encourage a mutual respect within their choices and decision making.
Our teaching and learning in PSHE 'Learning for Life' enables children to learn a strong sense of self and develop relationships with others. This is enhance by focus events through the year e.g. Anti-bullying Week; Prevent Day, Red card against Racism etc. Children are encouraged to be inquisitive and consider the viewpoints of others. The nature of the spiral approach allows children to revisit crucial themes alongside Christian values. Children are encouraged to develop their sense of wellbeing and daily routines support this e.g. Peer Massage; Emotions Check In; Five to Thrive and the Wells of Wellbeing.