Our proposal

Our proposal is that Ealing Fields High School secures the distinctive religious ethos which it already has by adopting a Church of England designation, in line with the other Trust schools. 

A formal Church of England designation will protect the school’s brand, its value centred pastoral routines and its overall Spiritual Moral Social Cultural (SMSC) practices.

Formalising the faith designation will not affect the school’s admissions criteria in any way.

The only change this will bring is that the celebration services, that the students already have, will include the option for taking Communion as well as continuing to use the reflection cards as is current practice.

A faith designation means that a school teaches a general curriculum but has a particular religious character designated to the school. Around one third (34%) of all state-funded mainstream schools in England are designated as having a religious character. 

An ethos is different as it is the character or spirit of a community as shown in its attitudes and aspirations.

The articulation of the 10:10 ethic, for example, has been expressed in such a way to allow students, staff and parents to understand and engage with the values irrespective of faith or background - but the roots are Christian.

The values which inform the ethos of Ealing Fields are Christian ones and all staff are always clear about this. 

For example, the phrase at the centre of the ethic comes from the story of the Good Shepherd which is used to explain our pastoral vision. In a different context, the story of the Good Samaritan is used to explain social responsibility over social prejudice. Because the narratives come from the same source, the values are very consistent.

Without a faith designation we are  not being transparent and open about having a strong Christian ethos.