SIAMS

What is SIAMS?

Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) inspections under section 48 of the Education Act 2005.

What is the purpose of a SIAMS inspection?

The purpose of a SIAMS inspection is:

to provide an evaluation of the impact of the school’s distinctively Christian vision for the governing body, multi-academy trust, the school, parents, diocese/district, Church of England Education Office, Methodist Church and the wider public
to meet the requirements of section 48 of the Education Act 2005 for schools which have a religious character
to make a significant contribution to the improvement of church schools.

What will a SIAMS inspection focus upon?

The impact that the Christian vision of the school has on pupils and adults.
Exploring the school’s Christian vision, the provision the school makes because of this vision and how effective this provision is in enabling all pupils to flourish.
Measuring effectiveness by means of a variety of strategies, approaches and styles which reflect the school’s local context or church tradition.
A diagnosis of how the school has a positive impact on pupils and adults.

How will the inspection be measured?

SIAMS explores ways in which each school’s theologically rooted Christian vision drives its work and enables the school to live up to its foundation as a Church school. It does so by seeking to answer six Inspection Questions (IQs).

IQ1: How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision enable pupils and adults to flourish?

IQ2: How does the curriculum reflect the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision?

IQ3: How is collective worship enabling pupils and adults to flourish spiritually?

IQ4: How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision create a culture in which pupils and adults are treated well?

IQ5: How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision create an active culture of justice and responsibility?

IQ6: Is the religious education curriculum effective (with reference to the expectations set out in the Church of England’s Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education)?

The inspection findings indicate that the school is living up to its foundation as a Church school, and is enabling pupils and adults to flourish.

The inspection findings indicate that the school has strengths, but that there are also issues that leaders need to address as a matter of priority.