At Lanchester E.P. Primary School, we believe in nurturing every individual’s potential, helping them grow and flourish. Our core Christian values - Love, Hope, Joy, Trust and Kindness - guide us as we encourage each pupil to reach their full potential and flourish. Spirituality is an integral part of this journey, framed by the simple yet profound practice of Looking In, Looking Out, and Looking Up.
We have very carefully linked our spirituality to our School Vision to provide children with opportunities to reflect and think about:
- Themselves (Looking IN)
- Their relationships with others (Looking OUT)
- God and Jesus’s teachings (Looking UP)
‘Through God’s Love, (UP) We are the rich soil (IN) Where roots grow and seeds flourish (OUT)’
By Looking In, Looking Out, and Looking Up, we grow in confidence and personal success, becoming the best versions of ourselves. At Lanchester E. P. School we want everyone to explore their own spiritual and personal development through encounters with themselves, others and God and/or something bigger than themselves. We talk about Looking In, Looking Out and Looking Up.
Looking In
Reflecting on Ourselves
How do you feel about yourself? Are you confident, self-assured and empowered, or do you sometimes feel unsure and insufficient? Looking inward means exploring your thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. We encourage self-reflection and self-care and for every member of our community to love and value themselves as a unique child of God. We encourage everyone to explore their gifts and talents to celebrate themselves.
Why Look In?
- Self-Discovery: Understand your values, aspirations, and how you want to be treated.
- Empowerment: Build self-confidence and recognise your strengths.
- Personal Growth: Positive self-reflection fosters success and resilience, helping you overcome challenges.
By looking inward, we recognise our potential and acknowledge our worth, allowing us to be the best version of ourselves and truly flourish.
Looking Out
Connecting with Our Community
Our world is filled with opportunities to make a difference. Looking out means understanding the world around us, caring for others, and contributing positively to our community.
We encourage all members of our school to use their gifts and talents to look out towards others. We want all members of our school community to use their gifts and voice to show love and care for others both locally and globally. Through encounters with others we encourage children and adults in school to be advocates for change and to develop a passion for fighting social injustice.
Why Look Out?
- Community Service: Engage in acts of kindness and service.
- Positive Impact: Help create a thriving, supportive environment for everyone.
- Shared Responsibility: Understand our role in building a compassionate and just society.
By looking outward, we strengthen the bonds of community and embody the values of love, hope, joy, kindness and trust in action.
Looking Up
Seeking Something Greater
Spirituality involves connecting with something beyond ourselves—a search for meaning and purpose. Looking up means embracing life’s bigger questions and seeking guidance from a higher power.
We are all spiritual beings on our own spiritual journey. We encourage members of our team to explore and consider something greater than themselves. We provide opportunity for prayer, reflection and encourage children and adults in school to explore life’s big questions.
Why Look Up?
- Connection: Find meaning in your relationship with God or a higher power.
- Reflection: Ask deep, philosophical questions about life and purpose.
- Growth: Align your character and actions with values that transcend daily life.
Whether through prayer, meditation, or quiet reflection, looking up helps us understand our role in the world and aligns our actions with the values that shape our character.
Promoting Spirituality through 'Mindful Moments'
At Lanchester E.P. Primary School, teachers actively nurture spirituality by incorporating purposeful 'mindful moments' at the start of the afternoon session. These reflective breaks encourage pupils to stop, think deeply, and engage with key questions that align with our Looking In, Looking Out, and Looking Up framework.
Looking In questions prompt self-reflection, helping pupils explore their emotions, personal insights, and connections to lessons. For example, pupils may consider whether they discovered something surprising or felt a strong emotional response.
Looking Out questions foster awareness of community and collaboration, encouraging pupils to reflect on their interactions with peers and their roles within group activities. They might assess how well they listened, shared ideas, or resolved conflicts, fostering empathy and teamwork.
Looking Up questions guide pupils to consider broader, philosophical perspectives, encouraging them to connect their learning to larger concepts such as the environment, future aspirations, or their role in society. These reflections help pupils develop a sense of purpose and a connection to something greater than themselves. They also consider the week’s ‘Big Question’.
Through these mindful moments, pupils not only deepen their understanding of the curriculum but also cultivate the self-awareness, compassion, and vision that empower them to flourish in all aspects of life.