Spiritual Direction

Dr Pollyanna Magne trained as a spiritual director at the Carmelite Priory in Aylesford, Kent where she then joined the course tutor team. She is a spiritual director supporting people from all walks of life, across the Christian traditions, and has a particular interest in accompanying people experiencing times of transition.

Polly holds a Professional Doctorate and a Masters in Education, Post Graduate Certificates in Higher Education and in Secondary Education, and a degree in Religious Education and Music. In her early career, Polly worked as a secondary teacher in faith schools where she led school worship and the design and facilitation of retreats for the young people and staff. Since 2000, she has worked in higher education as an associate professor and as head of academic practice. In this role she trained academic, health and charity sector professionals to deliver dynamic teaching, and to provide transformative learning opportunities. In recognition of her outstanding work and international reach across the HE sector, Polly was made a National Teaching Fellow in 2021.

As Director of the Centre of Spiritual Direction, Polly draws together her expertise in teaching, learning and retreat leadership and her ministry of Spiritual Accompaniment.

The Revd Canon Dr Nigel Rooms joined the Sarum Spiritual Direction team in January 2025. He trained in the ministry of spiritual accompaniment on the Diocese of Sheffield’s  Art of Spiritual Accompaniment course in 2013.

He has since overseen the spirituality provision in an Anglican diocese and developed a spiritual direction course. Out of this experience, he co-authored a book with Adrian Chatfield entitled, Soul Friendship:  A Practical Theology of Spiritual Direction which offers a contemporary theology of spiritual direction connected to the mission of God.

During the last 10 years Nigel has been seeking silence in apophatic prayer in the Carmelite tradition and roots this practice as a Priest Associate of the Sisters of the Love of God at the Convent of the Incarnation, Fairacres, Oxford.

In addition to being a spiritual director, Nigel has a portfolio of freelance pastoral, practical and academic roles, locally, nationally and internationally. He has a PhD from Birmingham University in missiology and is interested in mission in and from the local church. He is an Associate Priest at St. Margaret’s, Leicester and helps facilitate the diocese’s “Minster Communities” process to establish a sustainable and mission-focused foundation for the worshipping communities across the Diocese.

Alongside these roles, Nigel volunteers with the Church Mission Society, co-edits the journal Ecclesial Futures and is an assistant editor at Mission Studies, as well being the Treasurer of the International Association of Mission Studies. He has a long-term interest in adult theological learning and teaching, has created many learning materials and courses, including in the Anglican Church in Tanzania where he worked for seven years developing Theological Education by Extension.

The initial focus is on personal experience; participants are invited to hone their self-awareness and listening, as preparation for listening to others with discernment. Students work in triads throughout the course.

Course days include learning input, space for personal reflection and working in smaller groups. Participants are asked to prepare for and reflect after these sessions.

There are some assignments which may include reading, writing a reflection, or sharing something you have prepared. Learning is supported by access to resources via the online learning platform, SarumLearn, including library support with our growing range of ebooks, journals as well as a postal service.

As the course progresses, participants continue to develop their practice, paying particular attention to their skills, good practice, and a growing sense of what their own vocation may be in this area.

Towards the end of the course, participants submit some written evidence of learning – reflections rather than lengthy academic essays. Tutors expect course members to engage with the learning at a depth which is appropriate to their own capacity and experience. Our expectation is that whatever your background, Sarum can offer the context and resources to discern and prepare for the next chapter.

Mixed mode sessions 

The Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction in the mixed mode format offers both a retreat-like experience in Sarum College and sessions online. It includes teaching, small group work and spiritual direction practice. Learning is supported by access to resources via the online learning platform, SarumLearn, including library support with our growing range of eBooks, journals as well as a postal service.

The course will alternate between residential modules at Sarum College and online modules.

2026 course dates (beginning 10 am on the first day, finishing at 4pm on the final day)

Module 1, residential, 28 October 2026 – 29 October 2026
Module 2, online, 2 December – 3 December

2027 dates

Module 3, residential, 1 February 2027- 2 February 2027
Module 4, online, 14 April – 15 April
Module 5, residential, 23 June – 24 June
Module 6, online, 1 September – 2 September
Module 7, residential, 17 November – 18 November

2028 dates
Module 8, online, 26 January 2028 – 27 January 2028
Module 9, residential, 22 March – 23 March

If you’re interested in joining the ‘Curlew’ spiritual direction course, please complete the enquiry form and we will invite you to attend a Zoom meeting to discuss your application and explore course options.

Fully online course

The Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction includes teaching, small group work and spiritual direction practice.

Learning is supported by teaching and access to resources via the online learning platform, SarumLearn and via the Sarum College Library’s growing range of eBooks, journals and a service to post borrowed books to you.

This course is open to participants from outside the UK at no extra cost.

2026 course dates (beginning 10 am on the first day, finishing at 4pm on the final day)

2026 dates
Module 1, April 21 – April 22
Module 2, May 19 – May 20
Module 3, June 30 – July 1
Module 4, September 29 – September 30
Module 5, October 27 – October 28
Module 6, November 24 – November 25

2027 dates
Module 7, January 26 – January 27
Module 8, March 9 – March 10
Module 9, April 27 – April 28

If you’re interested in joining the ‘Dunlin’ spiritual direction course, please complete the enquiry form and we will invite you to attend a Zoom meeting to discuss your application and explore course options.

The aim of the Spiritual Direction programme is to work in the formation of people to begin the task of competent, well-informed, thoughtful and reflective spiritual direction.

The course is designed to model and reflect the nature and values of spiritual direction at every level throughout your time at Sarum.

This programme will enable you to:

• Reflect on your ongoing personal experience and your relationship with the Divine and how this continues to shape your journey in faith;
• Read and reflect on some of the key literature, theologians, writers and people who have contributed to spiritual direction as we see it today;
• Articulate how various traditions, theories, models, and practices have shaped the practice of spiritual direction;
• Employ a range of skills essential to the practice of Holy Listening and Accompaniment;
• Critically reflect, in supervision and on your own, on your practice of spiritual direction;
• Discern your vocation with support from course tutors.

Some of the themes we will explore during the course include:

• • Spiritual direction and its origins;
  • Naming and imagining God;
  • Rhythms and riches of spiritual traditions and practices;
  • Human, psychological and Spiritual Development models;
  • Sacred space;
  • Accompaniment in times of loss, trauma, transition, searching;
  • Imagination, dreams, meditation and creativity in spiritual direction;
  • Discernment;
  • Vocation;
  • Holy Listening skills;
  • Good practice in spiritual direction;
  • Supervision, reflection and feedback.

Sarum is blessed with one of the most beautiful locations in the country, underpinned by a warm welcome, generous hospitality and great food.

Our location in Salisbury Cathedral Close, in buildings where theology has been taught for more than 160 years, along with a supportive community of learning allows time for reflection and contemplation, which is such a rarity in our otherwise busy lives.

Visit our hospitality site to see more images of classroom, bedroom, dining and public spaces.

Those participating in the online version of the Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction have the option to join an optional, additional three-day retreat module which supports the Course but is not necessary for its completion.

The course is ecumenical and we welcome enquiries from all those interested in pursuing it. The course draws on the Christian tradition in particular but course participants are not limited to those who follow this tradition.

If you’re interested in the course, please complete an enquiry form which asks for a little background information.

Please complete this as a Word document and send it via email to cjames@sarum.ac.uk.

You will then be invited to a taster session and/or further conversation to explore and discern.

Completing an enquiry form opens a conversation and secures your place in the enquiry process without commitment. Enquiries are considered in the order in which they are received and there is no deadline or competitive interviewing. After further conversation, if we are able to offer a place, this will be for the next available and appropriate course.

Download an enquiry form for the Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction

We treat your personal information with respect and care according to the Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction privacy policy.

At the end of the course, students who have completed the full programme and the accompanying reflective assignments to the required standard will receive a Certificate of Completion.

This is not a licence to practice, qualification or accreditation. There is currently no mechanism for this in the UK.

However, the Certificate of Completion from Sarum College is readily accepted by Anglican dioceses and other church networks as evidence of proper training.

Individual churches will have their own structures for good practice and safeguarding. If you exercise a ministry of spiritual direction you must follow the guidance and requirements appropriate to your own context.

‘Curlew’ October 2026 to March 2028

Delivered as a blend of onsite (5) modules and online (4) modules. The course begins in October 2026 and ends in March 2028. Cost TBC.

The course price will include the residential and online components and resources, all accommodation and catering, access to Wi-Fi in college, basic support in using the SarumLearn student learning portal, and library membership.

Additional B&B may be booked at a discounted educational rate, subject to availability.

Participants commit to one year at a time and it is possible (though not usual) to defer the second year. Some students access grants for financial support of course costs.

‘Dunlin’ April 2026 to April 2027

Delivered as 9 online modules. The course begins in April 2026 and finishes one year later in April 2027. Cost TBC.

The course price will include online resources, basic support in using the SarumLearn student learning portal and library membership.

Bursaries and funding for the Spiritual Direction Programme

Funding Options

1. Funding is sometimes available from your own parish, diocese, church community or employer. We would encourage you to explore these avenues for partial or full funding, particularly if they offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) funding, or have designated training, development or enrichment funds.
2. The Retreat Association has a small fund available from which to make grants to provide training opportunities in spiritual direction.

Applications will be considered by the Board of Trustees who meet quarterly in March, June, September and December. Applications should be received no later than the last day of the month preceding such a meeting.

Requests for the ‘small grant funding application form’ must be made individually via email to info@retreats.org.uk. Visit their website

3. The Society of Retreat Conductors also provides some funding. People considering applying for a grant for spiritual direction training will normally be expected to have completed an 8-day individually accompanied retreat and to be able to demonstrate ample evidence of being in regular spiritual direction in recent years. Further information and the grant application form.
4. The Community of St Denys fund  five bursaries per annum for the Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction of up to £2,000 per annum. Applicants may only apply to this fund once during the programme.

Bursaries will be prioritised for those who are:

• on low income
• of Global Majority Heritage/BAME
• under 30
• disabled
• other under-represented group

The deadline for applications to funding bodies differ, so please do leave enough time to apply.

Download the application form for the Community of St Denys fund here

 Visit our page on grantmaking trusts 

‘Having gained and used skills in listening and counselling in an informal way during my ministry, I welcomed the opportunity to put these into practice and to learn new skills to add to my “toolbox”.  I felt called but uncertain that I would become a Spiritual Director at the outset, but the two years helped me to grow in confidence and to become a Director in a more formal way.’

— The Revd Gerry Baudains