SIAMS

SIAMS inspection plays an important role in the improvement of Church schools. It does this by affirming that which is effective and by highlighting key areas for improvement. By focusing on impact above all else, SIAMS explores ways in which each school’s theologically rooted Christian vision drives the work, and enables the school to live up to its foundation as a Church school. Church schools come in all different shapes and sizes, and a one size fits all approach to inspection does not allow a school to have integrity in its Christian-vision-driven work. Therefore, the 2023 SIAMS Framework does not present schools with lists of criteria to meet. Instead, it asks a number of Inspection Questions about impact, and it allows leaders to explain the school’s context and the reasons for decisions and actions. In all things, the contextually-appropriate theologically rooted Christian vision is the driving force.

Question 1: How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision enable pupils and adults to flourish?

Question 2: How does the curriculum reflect the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision?

Question 3: How is collective worship enabling pupils and adults to flourish spiritually?

Question 4: How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision create a culture in which pupils and adults are treated well?

Question 5: How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision create an active culture of justice and responsibility?

Question 6: 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)?

Question 7: What is the quality of religious education in voluntary aided and former voluntary aided schools, and in former voluntary controlled schools in which denominational religious education is taught?