Our Ethos Council plays an important part in developing and celebrating the distinctive Christian character of our school. It gives children a meaningful voice in considering how our Christian vision and values are lived out each day and how they enable everyone in our school community to flourish.

The council is made up of pupil representatives, supported by members of staff, governors, parents and members of our wider church community. Our pupils are at the heart of the council and are encouraged to share their ideas, listen to the views of others and help shape the continuing development of our Christian ethos.

What does our Ethos Council do?

The Ethos Council works together to explore, evaluate and strengthen different aspects of life within our Church school. This includes:

• reflecting on how our Christian vision and values are understood and lived out across the school;
• gathering pupil voice and considering how our Christian ethos makes a difference to children and adults;
• contributing to the planning, leading and evaluation of collective worship;
• exploring opportunities for prayer, reflection and spiritual development;
• considering how our curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to ask big questions, reflect and develop spiritually;
• promoting kindness, dignity, respect, inclusion and positive relationships;
• identifying ways in which we can serve others within our school, local community and the wider world;
• encouraging pupils to become courageous advocates, recognising injustice and considering how they can make a positive difference;
• contributing to the school's ongoing self-evaluation as a Church school; and
• sharing the work of the Ethos Council with pupils, staff, governors, parents and our church community.

Our Ethos Council and SIAMS

The work of our Ethos Council supports our school's ongoing reflection against the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) framework.

Rather than being something we prepare for only when an inspection is approaching, self-evaluation is part of the continuing life of our school. Through discussion, pupil voice, reflection and action, our Ethos Council helps us consider important questions such as:

How does our Christian vision shape the decisions we make?

How does our vision enable pupils and adults to flourish?

How do pupils develop spiritually through the curriculum and wider life of the school?

What difference does collective worship make to our school community?

How do we ensure everyone is treated with dignity, respect and compassion?

How does our Christian vision inspire us to serve others, challenge injustice and make a positive difference?

Most importantly, our Ethos Council helps us look beyond what we do and consider the difference it makes. The children are encouraged to identify what is working well, celebrate the impact of our Christian vision and suggest ways in which we can continue to grow and develop as a Church school.

In this way, our pupils are not simply participants in our Christian ethos; they are active partners in shaping, evaluating and strengthening it.