Ethos and values statement: what to publish on your school website
A short statement of your school's ethos and values, written for parents and anyone else reading your website.
Check this on my websiteWho it applies to
- Published on
- The school's own website
- School type
- Academies and maintained schools
- School stage
- All stages, from early years to sixth form
- Does not apply to
- No school types are excluded
When it's due
Keep it up to date
There's no fixed date. Update it whenever something changes.
What's needed
Publish a statement of your school's ethos and values on the about us or welcome page on your website.
What it must contain
No parts listedThe official sources name no separate parts for this requirement. We check that it is published and easy to find.
What the official sources say
Set out in 2 official sources:
What maintained schools must publish online
Schools should publish a statement setting out their ethos and values.
Should: Recommended in official guidance, such as the DfE's. Not a legal requirement in itself.§ Ethos and values > What schools should publish
What academies must publish online
Academies and FE colleges should publish a statement setting out their ethos and values.
Should: Recommended in official guidance, such as the DfE's. Not a legal requirement in itself.§ Ethos and values > What academies and FE colleges should publish
Questions schools ask
Do schools have to publish an ethos and values statement?
For academies and maintained schools, it's recommended in official guidance, but isn't a legal requirement in itself.
When do we need to update our ethos and values statement?
Keep it up to date. There's no fixed date. Update it whenever something changes.
Where does the requirement for the ethos and values statement come from?
It is set out in What maintained schools must publish online and What academies must publish online.
Recent changes to the official guidance
None of the published updates to the official sources change this requirement.
We last checked these sources on 21 September 2026.
Is this on your school's website?
Enter your school email address and we'll check your website for this requirement.
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Official sources last checked 21 September 2026 · register version 1.0.4