Within The Corinium Education Trust we actively encourage reflection. There is so much that we can learn from each other and the world around us.

At Siddington Church of England Primary School, Carol Dougill, Executive Headteacher and her team, held a special Spirituality Day on Thursday 17 January 2019 so that children and staff could think about what spirituality means to them. This followed a themed Science Week from Tuesday 8 to Friday 11 January.

After an assembly led by Felicity Dawson, the school’s RE leader, the children engaged in different activities that enabled  them to think about spirituality and described the impact of ‘wow moments’. At the end of the day the following definition was put together using ideas from all classes:

‘Spirituality is something personal, it is not something physical and doesn’t have to be to do with religion. It is about finding a purpose or meaning to life. It is thinking about our connection to the people around us, the world around us in all its beauty and it can involve our relationship with a God or a higher power than ourselves.’

Since joining The Corinium Education Trust in April 2018, pupils and staff at Siddington Church of England Primary School led by Carol Dougill have revisited their vision, aligning it and their core values of caring for everyone to the parable of ‘The Good Samaritan’.

‘It was wonderful to join the pupils at the end of the day and hear how they define spirituality. There were some very ‘touching’ moments from the children. Special days like this are important to us as a Church School and a time when we can come together and celebrate how special we are!’ Carol Dougill, Executive Headteacher.

In November 2018 Siddington C of E Primary School invited Claire Mould, a Foundation Trustee, and other members of the school’s local community to celebrate their Prayer Space Day. This followed a similar event in 2017-18 and creating space for quiet reflection is now embedded within the school’s calendar and curriculum.

‘It was an absolutely wonderful experience. I think there is the potential to extend the principle of reflection to other schools in The Corinium Education Trust as part of a joint response to supporting children and young people's wellbeing and mental health. Thank you all for making me feel so welcome.’ Claire Mould, Foundation Trustee. 

Pupils from all schools in The Corinium Education Trust came together to mark World Peace Day on Friday 21 September 2018. During this day of reflection pupils learnt about peace symbols, made paper cranes and peace tiles and researched activists before joining forces to attempt a world record which required trust and effective collaboration!