Spirituality: What Makes Us Distinctive
Like all good schools, the Deanery Church of England High School & 6th form College wants pupils to be cared for and well educated. However, coming to a church school should feel different. There should be an extra dimension to our school life that is beyond the physical.
We are a true community, teaching our pupils both in and out of the classroom, that there is a wonderful world full of opportunities to explore. We are aspirational, hopeful and purposeful in our learning and development.
At The Deanery Church of England High School & 6th Form College, we recognise that spirituality is so much more than the social, moral and ethical aspects of our school life. The National Society (Church of England and Church in Wales) supports us in our understanding of spirituality, by breaking it down into 4 elements:
Spiritual Capacities
We recognise that all human beings are capable of spiritual growth through self-awareness, reflection, empathy, imagination and creativity
Spiritual Experiences
Our pupils, students and staff have daily opportunities to encounter the spiritual dimensions of life (through daily worship, through our curriculum, through our discussions and support of one another)
Spiritual Understanding
We are supported to explore, reflect upon, make personal decisions and allow personal growth when considering spiritual experiences
Spiritual Responses
We understand how spiritual experiences can impact our lives and can shape the way in which we live our lives
People of faith also believe that the desire to search for meaning comes from God himself and he is much closer to us than we think. In fact the Bible says that “whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4:16).
As a Church of England High School we know God as ‘Father’ and believe he sent his son, Jesus, into the world. Jesus showed us through his words and actions how we are to live and worship God. He died for us to make right the relationship between God and humanity, rose again to show us that new life is possible and ascended into heaven to be at God’s right hand to reign in glory. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God, alive and active in the world today, which, by the grace of God, can bring us the “life in all its fullness” (John 10:10) Jesus promised those who follow him.
We know as Christians in search of a greater sense of our personal spirituality, our aim is to grow to be more “Jesus-like”. Spiritual growth comes about through encounter, understanding and the grace of God. At the Deanery Church of England High School & 6th Form College, our mission is to create opportunities to do this.
