Ethics and Values

STATEMENT OF ETHICS AND VALUES

1. Purpose of this Statement

This statement sets out the ethical principles and values that underpin the work of Finstock Church of England Primary School as a member of The MILL Academy Trust. It is published on the school website in line with governance good practice set out in the National Governance Association's guidance and the Department for Education's Academy Trust Governance Guide, which recommend that schools and academies publish a statement setting out their ethos and values. It applies to all Trustees, Local Committee Volunteers, Staff, Pupils, Volunteers and Visitors, and informs how decisions are made and relationships are conducted across the school and the Trust.

 

2. Our Mission and Vision

Mission: “Transforming lives through inspirational education.”

Vision: Every child has the right to attend a good school and to have the opportunity to transform their life, whatever their starting point. The Trust exists to enable each of its schools to grow, to serve their communities well, and to support one another while maintaining consistently high standards.

 

3. Our Values — MILL

The MILL Academy Trust's values are expressed through the acronym MILL, which guides the culture and conduct of every school in the Trust, including Finstock Church of England Primary School.

M — Motivate: we inspire enthusiasm for learning and encourage every member of our community to strive for their best.

I — Inspire: we lead by example, model high standards, and nurture ambition in pupils and staff alike.

L — Learn: we are a community of learners; we reflect, adapt and continually improve our practice.

L — Lead: we take responsibility for our own actions and for the wellbeing and success of others.

 

4. Our Values in Practice at Finstock Church of England Primary School

Christ’s command to “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14) guides us to respect one another and is the foundation for all that we do at Finstock Church of England Primary School.

Our vision is Excellence through faith, friendship, courage and respect, by providing all children with the highest level of academic curriculum and pastoral care, with opportunities for spiritual growth and intellectual enquiry. These four values are expressed day to day as follows:

Faith: rooted in our Christian foundation, we nurture spiritual growth, reflection and a sense of hope, welcoming families of all faiths and none.

Friendship: we build kind, caring and inclusive relationships, so that every child and adult feels valued, safe and part of our school family.

Courage: we encourage everyone to try new things, persevere through challenges, and stand up for what is right.

Respect: we value the dignity, views and differences of every individual, and care for one another, our community and the world around us.

Together, these values shape our curriculum, our relationships and the everyday life of the school, helping every child to flourish and achieve excellence.

 

5. Our Ethical Principles

In pursuit of our mission, the school and Trust are guided by five ethical commitments:

  • Equity: we work to secure equity of opportunity and outcome for every child, regardless of background or starting point.
  • Improvement: we ensure that leadership at every level is focused on driving improvement and is held to account for doing so.
  • Curriculum: we provide a broad, engaging and ambitious curriculum that meets the needs and interests of our pupils.
  • Evidence-informed practice: we base our decisions on evidence and established good practice, rather than fashion or assumption.
  • Stewardship: we manage public funds and other resources honestly, efficiently and in the best interests of our pupils.

 

6. Our Ethos

The MILL Academy Trust is a home-grown, locally rooted Trust, proud to serve rural, town, community and Church school communities across the Witney area. We value diversity of setting and character among our schools while working collaboratively for the benefit of all. We are committed to continuous improvement and are not complacent about past success, recognising that “progress is impossible without change” and that effective leaders must be willing to adapt their thinking to improve outcomes for children.

 

7. Governance and Accountability

This statement reflects the standards expected of everyone associated with Finstock Church of England Primary School and The MILL Academy Trust, including honesty, integrity, openness and a primary focus on the interests of pupils. It should be read alongside the Trust's Scheme of Delegation, Code of Conduct, and safeguarding and equality policies, which set out these principles in further operational detail.

This statement is reviewed periodically by the Headteacher to ensure it continues to reflect the values and ethical standards of the school and Trust.