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:

1. to provide an evaluation of the impact of the school’s distinctively Christian vision.
2. to meet the requirements of section 48 of the Education Act 2005 for schools which have a religious character.
3. to make a significant contribution to the improvement of church schools.

What will a SIAMS inspection focus upon?

SIAMS inspectors will explore with the school and trust leaders how they understand the specific context of the school, and whether they know how to respond to it theologically. Local, diocesan, and national expertise will help school and trust leaders to explore this, so that they can be confident in answering three key questions: 

1. Who are we as a school? 

2. What are we doing here? 

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

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

It also provides a structure for inspectors and school and trust leaders to, collaboratively, gather evidence of how this vision enables people to flourish. 

Using this evidence, inspectors then make judgements, holding school and trust leaders to account. 

SIAMS, rightly, sets a high bar for each school to live up to its foundation as a Church school through its theologically rooted Christian vision, and it provides affirmation, aspiration, and areas for development for school leaders. 

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

This is explored through seven inspection questions :

How, then, shall we live and learn together?

• IQ1 - How does the vision enable pupils and adults to flourish?
• IQ2 - How does the curriculum reflect the school’s vision?
• IQ3 – How is Collective Worship enabling all to flourish spiritually?
• IQ4 – How does the vision create a culture in which everyone is treated well?
• IQ5 – How does the vision create an active culture of justice and responsibility?
• IQ6 – Is the RE curriculum effective?
• IQ7 – The quality of RE teaching.

One overall grade, judgement one or judgement two, is awarded to the school. This judgement will reflect the contribution of these strands to the flourishing of pupils and adults in the school community.

Further information can be found here