Spirituality at Selwood Academy 

"Let your light shine before others." – Matthew 5:16 

 

Our Vision 

At Selwood Academy, we believe in nurturing every individual’s light, helping them grow and flourish. Our core Christian values—Hope, Wisdom, Community, and Joy—guide us as we encourage each pupil to reach their full potential. Spirituality is an integral part of this journey, framed by the simple yet profound practice of Looking In, Looking Out, and Looking Up.   

By Looking In, Looking Out, and Looking Up, we grow in confidence and personal success, becoming the best versions of ourselves. Together, we let our light shine brightly, illuminating the path for others and creating a world filled with hope, wisdom, community, and joy. 

 

At Selwood Academy our aim is to empower every pupil to shine their light for all to see. 

 

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. 

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 let our light shine. 

 

 

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. 

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 hope, wisdom, joy, and love 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. 

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 our Curriculum 

Please take a look at some examples of when we look in, look out and look up in our curriculum lessons HERE  

 

Promoting Spirituality through 'Pause Moments' 

At Selwood Academy, teachers actively nurture spirituality by incorporating purposeful 'pause moments' into lessons. 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 the lesson. 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. 

Through these thoughtful moments, pupils not only deepen their understanding of the curriculum but also cultivate the self-awareness, compassion, and vision that empower them to let their light shine in all aspects of life. 

 

 

Explore Spirituality at Selwood Through Our Pupils' Eyes 

Discover how our pupils interpret and express spirituality by viewing their collaborative PowerPoint presentation HERE