The Church School Trust Deed

The trust deed is a foundational document that shapes the history, purpose, and character of Church schools. Understanding it is essential for maintaining the Christian ethos and celebrating values.

What is a Trust Deed?

A trust deed is a legal document that establishes the framework of your school, outlining key elements such as:

  • Its Christian foundation and purpose
  • The role of the Church in governance, worship and education
  • How the school is to be used for the benefit of the local community.

Why is it important?

The trust deed plays a vital role in safeguarding the school’s Christian ethos. It emphasises that faith, worship, and education are central to identity and mission.


Key features of a Church of England School’s Trust Deed

  1. Christian Foundation
    The trust deed affirms the commitment to providing education aligned with the principles of the Church of England.
  2. Collective Worship & Religious Education
    Worship is expected to be distinctly Christian and consistent with the Church of England teachings, while Religious Education reflects the school’s foundation and the importance of Christian values.
  3. Role of the Church
    The trust deed outlines the involvement of the local Church, the Diocese and foundation governors in supporting the Christian mission of the school.
  4. Land and Buildings
    Many trust deeds include provisions regarding the use and ownership of the land, often stipulating that it is to be used for education and Christian purposes.

Why does this matter today?

Understanding your trust deed empowers your school to:

  • Celebrate its Christian ethos in worship, teaching and daily life.
  • Support governance by clarifying the role of foundation governors and the Diocese
  • Ensure compliance with legal and educational requirements, protecting the Christian character of the school for future generations.

How to access or interpret your trust deed

Find your trust deed

Contact the Diocese for assistance. While we we may not have access to all Trust Deeds, many are archived nationally. For those unable to locate their specific trust deed, ‘The Way Ahead’ report from the Archbishop’s Council (2000) offers a helpful ethos statement for Church of England schools to adopt. This statement reaffirms the principles that would have been reflected in the Trust Deed.

‘Recognising its historical foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church at Parish and Diocesan level. The school aims to serve its community by providing education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to pupils.’
Archbishops Council, The Way Ahead: Church of England Schools in the New Millennium, 2000

Additionally, a maintained school’s Instrument of Government can provide similar guidance.  

Understand it

Collaborate with Foundation Governors and your Diocese to interpret the trust deed focussing on worship, Christian values and governance roles. 

Apply it

Use the trust deed to shape the school’s vision, plan for collective worship and RE and  strengthen partnerships with the local church and Diocese.

For any further enquires or assistance please feel free to reach out to our Team Administrator at education@chelmsford.anglican.org