The importance of ethos within the controlled sector as schools restart

In these circumstances an ethos based on the values which underpin the Christian faith, including the belief in the dignity of every human being, the responsibilities of living in society and respect for self and others, was never more relevant. 

We saw controlled schools inspiring and supporting their children and young people to continue to achieve, as well as nurturing their self-confidence and well-being. Schools were a source of encouragement, with a strength of belonging to a common purpose in their community, responding to circumstances that none of us ever imagined.

In normal circumstances schools continually face both challenges and opportunities and it is a strong, shared ethos which provides the necessary direction.  Whilst the last 6 months have brought additional challenges, the experience has provided opportunities to be innovative in our approaches to learning, teaching and communicating with one another.  Schools have provided remote learning experiences for their pupils, maintained communication, celebrated pupils’ work, collectively shared in online assemblies and most importantly been that reliable ‘rock’ amidst the stormy sea that we have all experienced.

As schools navigate this extraordinary time and continue to plan for the restart to the new school day, ethos will be at the centre of everything they do.  Ethos is essentially the personality of the school; it’s “who” the school is and “what” it stands for. 

It is clear that positive relationships are the bedrock of ethos. As such it is fundamental to school improvement, uniting all members of the school community with a common purpose, striving to ensure that every pupil is provided with the opportunity to realise their potential through an atmosphere of fairness and equity.

Through structured discussions with governors, staff, parents and pupils, it will be important to reaffirm the school ethos and ensure that the restart plan reflects what the school believes in and aspires to be.  The school vision for the new academic year will be responsive to the situation in which we find ourselves at this time and will also reflect the aspirations of the school as we look to the future.

As classroom learning and teaching resumes, contributing to the ethos and driving it forward will be the mission and vision, alongside the values, which will be embedded in all aspects of school life.  These values will encourage the much needed nurturing approach as the school community recovers together. Undoubtedly each individual will have had a different experience as a result of the pandemic, but through a unified ethos the educational journey can restart positively for the whole school community.

The CSSC Ethos self-evaluation toolkit has provided a resource for schools as they reflect on their ethos, ensuring that it is the foundation stone which enables controlled schools to provide high quality learning environments catering for the unique and individual needs of every pupil.

As schools return to what we know will be a difficult academic year, CSSC wishes to reassure you of our continued commitment to our vision, advocating for the needs, interests and values of controlled schools, both collectively and individually:

‘The Controlled Schools’ Support Council supports controlled schools, which are open to all faiths and none, in providing high quality education for children and young people to enable them to learn, develop and grow together, within the ethos of non-denominational Christian values and principles.’

We wish everyone a safe, healthy and successful year ahead.

John Madden, Principal, Roddensvale School, explains how the school ethos will support the return to classroom teaching through the creativity and dedication of staff working collaboratively with the whole school community.

17 August 2020