PURPOSE & FOCUS OF SIAMS INSPECTIONS

SIAMS inspection focuses on the impact of a Church school’s Christian vision on the pupils and adults in their care. It involves looking closely at the school’s Christian vision and how all are ‘living’ words of this vision, exploring the provision the school makes because of this vision and how effective this provision is in enabling all pupils to flourish. 

Church schools will employ a variety of strategies and styles appropriate to, and reflective of, their particular context in order to be distinctively and effectively Christian in their character and ethos. SIAMS inspectors therefore do not look for a set template of what a Church school should be like, but rather take the particular context of the school into account and base their evaluation on outcomes rather than the process.

The new schedule that came into effect in September 2023 is asking one key question: 

How effective is the school’s distinctive Christian vision, established and promoted by leadership at all levels, in enabling pupils and adults to flourish?

Importantly, the 2023 SIAMS Framework highlights and seeks understanding of the theology that underpins a school’s Christian vision.

(Please see our document, ‘How our theologically Christian vision is unique to us’). 

It is important that as a Church of England School, we have explored our purpose and how we serve our school and community by asking ourselves: -

1. Who are we as a school?

2. What are we doing here?

3. How, then, shall we live and learn together?

These questions are broken down even further through 6 Inspection Questions or IQs.

IQ1 How does the schools theologically rooted Christian vision enable pupils and

       adults to flourish?

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

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? 

If you have any questions regarding SIAMS inspection or our Christian vision – do not hesitate to speak to a school leader.