Understanding SIAMS

As a Church of England school, we are inspected under the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS). This inspection is part of the Church of England and Methodist Church’s responsibility under the Education Act (2005).

What does SIAMS look at?

SIAMS explores how our school’s Christian vision shapes everything we do – from how children learn, to how they are cared for, and how we support every member of our community to flourish.

The inspection focuses on six key questions (and seven in some schools):

1. How does the school’s Christian vision help pupils and adults to flourish?
2. How does the curriculum reflect that vision?
3. How does collective worship support spiritual growth?
4. How does the vision shape a culture of respect, kindness, and care?
5. How does the vision encourage justice, fairness, and responsibility?
6. How effective is the Religious Education curriculum?
7. (For some schools only) What is the quality of Religious Education teaching where denominational RE is taught?

Why is SIAMS important for parents?

The inspection doesn’t just check what the school does – it looks at the impact of our Christian vision on the lives of children and adults in school. That means:

• Ensuring every child feels valued, supported, and able to thrive.
• Making sure our ethos is lived out in daily school life.
• Recognising that each school community is unique – there isn’t a “one size fits all” model.

In short: SIAMS is about how our Christian foundation makes a difference in real, practical ways – helping children to grow academically, socially, and spiritually.

You can find out more on the Church of England’s website:

https://www.churchofengland.org/about/education-and-schools/church-

schools-and-academies/siams-inspections