Spirituality

Spirituality - the expectations

Since 1944 schools have been required by law to provide for the spiritual development of pupils.

 In the Ofsted Framework 2022 Ofsted Inspection Handbook it outlines that schools should make provision for SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education):

The spiritual development of pupils includes developing their:

• ability to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life;
• knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values;
• sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them;
• use of imagination and creativity in their learning;
• willingness to reflect on their experiences;

There is an expectation that Church of England schools will ensure the spiritual development of all children. The Church of England Vision for Education 2016 sets out a goal whereby, in addition to embracing an agenda of excellence and academic rigour, a wider framework is required where all children flourish. ‘Life in all its fullness’ means giving emphasis to physical and intellectual development, while also meeting the needs for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

“Our vision embraces the spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, moral and social development of children and young people. We offer a vision of human flourishing for all, one that embraces excellence and academic rigour, but sets them in a wider framework.” 

As Derek Holloway writes, Spiritual Development Interpretations of spiritual development in the classroom 2019 spiritual development is intrinsic to every part of our work:

“I would strongly contend that in all schools, and certainly in Church schools, that spiritual development is not something you should hide away in a couple of curriculum boxes or treat as an afterthought. It must be something that should influence all areas of education as it does all areas of life.’

The SIAMS Inspection Framework September 2023 also sets out the expectation for Church schools to meet the ‘spiritual needs of all learners’.  There is an explicit and implicit focus on Spirituality throughout the framework. It is clearly referenced in inspection questions:

in IQ2 “How is spiritual development an intrinsic part of the curriculum?”

and IQ3 asks, “How is collective worship enabling pupils and adults to flourish spiritually?” furthermore explores, “How do the theologically rooted Christian vision and the Anglican foundation of the school shape worship and spirituality in the school? “and asks “What do pupils and adults understand to be the meaning of spirituality? How does this enhance and enrich collective worship and individuals’ spiritual development?”