The school library was taken over by an installation of 14 reflection stations put together by the school Flourish Chaplain and some sixth form students.

There were various multi-sensory activities to help students think, reflect and pray if they wanted to; an inclusive ‘time out’ space for all faiths and world views.

Over 200 students visited the space with many choosing to come back multiple times, as it was open for everyone at breaks and lunchtimes. The space enabled members of local churches to engage with students, deepen local networks and, saw staff and pupils pondering together.

A standout station was the reflection station where children were encouraged to look in the mirror, reflect on what they see and read the quotes around the mirror. It was special to share with the pupils that ‘Christians believe that God made everyone, and more importantly, that God loves everyone. No one is perfect, but each person is unique and special’. One pupil shared ‘it was very emotional.  It was difficult to read all those affirming words. I didn’t know how to be afterwards’. Another girl said that her friend had come back to the space and stayed in that reflections station for ages. ‘She’s been going through a hard time and she knew that she needed to hear those good things about herself’.

Students really valued being able to read others’ thoughts and big ‘life questions’ and to know that they aren’t the only ones thinking these things. It allowed space for loss and tender conversation and was beautiful to see thankfulness and bonds of friendship made visible, with one pupil saying: “I feel like a kid again – in a good way!”

One student who had been very disruptive at the beginning of the session, by the end of it, was reading (beautifully) the whole of the forgiveness card out to his peers. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly ran back in and dropped a tablet in each of the jars declaring that he ‘just needed to do more forgivenesses.’