The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) is the Church of England and Methodist Church’s outworking of the requirements of section 48 of the Education Act 2005. It is a key element of the life of all Church of England and Methodist schools in England.
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 or (in the case of Voluntary Aided schools) seven 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)?
IQ7: 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?
SIAMS inspection focuses on the impact of the Church school's Christian vision on pupils and adults. This involves looking at 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. 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 the outcomes rather than the process.
Inspectors make one of two judgements:
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.
Or
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.
Schools due for inspection in the academic year 2025-2026:
Avonmouth CE VC Primary School
Bishopstone CE Primary School
Christ Church CE Junior School
Christ Church CE Primary School, Clifton
Christ Church Hanham CE Primary
Easton CE Primary Academy
Iron Acton CE Primary School
Kingfisher CE Academy
Malmesbury CE Primary School
Mangotsfield CE VC Primary School
Marshfield CE Primary School
South Marston CE Primary
St Helen's CE Primary School
St Mary Redcliffe CE Primary
Stoke Bishop CE Primary School
Sutton Benger CE VA Primary
SIAMS Reports
SIAMS Resources
Information, guidance, resources and inspiration for those involved in preparing for the statutory inspection of our schools.
More details about inspections can be found at…. SIAMS School Inspections | The Church of England
'Courageous Advocacy' - The term ‘courageous advocacy’ is the only new concept in the 2018 SIAMS schedule. This document is offered as a guide and a support to help schools, school leaders and SIAMS inspectors to explore the concept of courageous advocacy and what that might mean in the unique context of each school.
Rethinking resilience SIAMS 2019
Key SIAMS Documents
SIAMS Framework (September 2024)
SIAMS Information for Schools (September 2024)
SIAMS Appeals and Complaints policy for schools (2024)
SIAMS Inspection deferral policy (2024)
SIAMS Summary Self Evaluation template (2024)
SIAMS Ongoing Self-Evaluation template (2024)
SIAMS RE Survey statement (September 2024)
SIAMS Framework (September 2024)
Church of England Vision for Education: Deeply Christian, serving the common good
Rethinking resilience SIAMS 2019
SIAMS Mental Health and Wellbeing
RE Statement of Entitlement for Church Schools
Just published! 'A Fresh Look at Church School Inspection: Examining the 2023 SIAMS Framework’ by Margaret James, National director of SIAMS.