School Website Ethos and Values: What to Publish

Your school website ethos and values section might seem like a tick box exercise but it’s a great opportunity to tell what makes your school unique. The Department for Education (DfE) requires schools, academies and FE colleges to publish a statement of ethos and values as part of the school website requirements. Let’s get to the bottom of how to do this and show the heart and soul of your school to everyone who visits your website.

Why ethos and values

Your ethos and values statement is more than a compliance box to tick. It gives prospective parents, inspectors and your wider community a glimpse into what your school is about. It can be a powerful tool to:

• Attract Prospective Families: Tell parents why your school is the right choice for their child.
• Inspire Teachers: Show your commitment to education and create a warm welcome for staff.
• Impress Inspectors: Demonstrate your school’s vision and values.

This page is your chance to make a good first impression and show what goes on day to day in your school.

Where to Publish Your Ethos and Values?

The key is to make it easy to find. Ideally your ethos and values should have their own page on your website, titled to match DfE terminology.

Other ideas for placement:

• Link your Ethos and Values page to your Headteacher’s Welcome or About Us page. This helps visitors connect your ethos with the leadership and overall vision of the school.
• Mention your ethos and values on your Policies page or Behaviour Policy, so visitors can see how these principles inform decision making and expectations in your school.

If visitors can’t find this information they may think it’s not important.

How to Write Your Ethos and Values Statement

When writing your ethos and values content think about what will resonate with your school community today. Consider:

• Your Core Beliefs: What are the principles that underpin your school’s approach to education, behaviour and community?
• Your Vision: What do you want for your pupils and the wider community?
• Your Values in Action: How are your values lived out in school life?

This is not just about compliance. It’s your chance to tell what makes your school special and the environment you aim to create.

Live Your Ethos and Values

Your ethos and values shouldn’t just exist as text on your website. Use them to shape your school’s identity and show how they play out in practice. Here are some ideas:

1. Use Images

A visual representation of your values can be a great addition to your ethos and values page.

• A graphic or infographic of your school’s values.
• Images or videos of students and staff living your ethos.

2. Share Stories

Show moments where your ethos and values are in action, such as:

• News articles or blogs about achievements that demonstrate your values.
• Stories about students or staff showing these principles in practice.

3. Involve Students

Create a video where students explain your school values and what they mean to them. Hearing from pupils directly can add humanity to your ethos page.

Examples

Here are some schools that do this well:

Castle Primary School

• Vision Statement: “Learning for Life” sums up the school’s approach, which parents and stakeholders like.
• Actionable Ethos: The vision is backed up by commitments to safety, inclusivity and parental involvement so you can see how the values are put into practice.
• Community: Strong emphasis on respect, diversity and global citizenship shows the values of the school.

Ivy House School

• Child Centred Values: Nurturing and empowering through communication, physical, cognitive and interpersonal development.
• Community and Collaboration: Strong partnerships with families and professionals to support individual needs.
• Celebration of Diversity: Achievements across all areas and celebrate with families and the wider community.

ONE Multi Academies Trust

• Faith Based Ethos: Rooted in Sikh principles, unity, integrity and service, makes it unique.
• Clear Framework: The “THRIVES” behaviours (Truth, Humility, Excellence, Service) gives a structure to actions and values.
• Inclusive Language: Shared humanity and diversity, reinforces the ethos of equality and compassion.

Now

• Check your ethos and values page to make sure it’s up to date, clear and easy to find.
• Look for ways to link your ethos to other parts of your website, like news or policies.
• Show examples of your ethos and values in action.

If you have any questions about publishing your ethos and values, get in touch — we’d love to help.