Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS)
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.
A national system for managing inspections has been developed with the dioceses to ensure greater consistency in experience and processes. Read the full letter from the Chief Education Officer to schools here.
Approximately every five years, schools are subject to an inspection which explores the 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?”
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.
The Evaluation Schedule has one inspection 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?”
This overarching inspection question is examined through seven strands:
1. Vision and Leadership
2. Wisdom, Knowledge, and Skills
3. Character Development: Hope, Aspiration, and Courageous Advocacy
4. Community and Living Well Together
5. Dignity and Respect
6. Impact of Collective Worship
7. Effectiveness of Religious Education.
One overall grade is awarded reflecting the contribution of these strands to the flourishing of pupils and adults in a Church school. In addition a standalone grade is awarded in all schools for collective worship and in voluntary aided (VA) schools and former VA schools for religious education (RE). This grade is based on teaching and learning alone.
SIAMS advice and training for schools is available through the York Diocesan Education Team. Please contact our SIAMS Manager Olivia Seymour (Olivia.Seymour@yorkdiocese.org) For questions on policy and process, please contact the National SIAMS Team (siams@churchofengland.org).
SIAMS inspections post March 2020
In March 2020, SIAMS inspections were suspended as part of the Government’s Covid-19 legislation. They resume in the Autumn Term 2021.
The purpose of SIAMS Inspection is the improvement of Church school education through a focus on the centrality of Christian vision, shining a spotlight on the fundamental right of all pupils and adults to flourish. SIAMS inspectors ask questions about and seek evidence that demonstrates the impact that the school’s vision has directly on the lives, learning, and development of all within the school community.
The National SIAMS Team is responsible for the scheduling of inspections and other inspection logistics, as well as for the production of all inspection material. To contact the team, please refer to the 'National SIAMS Team' section below.
From September 2021, an amended Evaluation Schedule is available. The amendments relate to the impact that Covid-19 and subsequent school closures have had on the education system, enabling schools to provide evidence that specifically relates to the impact of their Christian vision during this extraordinary time. This amended Evaluation Schedule and all other documents and resources can be found on the Church of England website here