Church School Inspections
What is a SIAMS Inspection?
All Church of England dioceses and the Methodist Church use the Church of England Education Office's framework for the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) under Section 48 of the Education Act 2005. The SIAMS Evaluation Schedule sets out the expectations for the conduct of the Statutory Inspection of Anglican, Methodist and ecumenical Schools under Section 48 of the Education Act 2005.
Purpose and focus of SIAMS inspections
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 is explored through seven strands:
- Vision and Leadership
- Wisdom, Knowledge and Skills
- Character Development: Hope, Aspiration and Courageous Advocacy
- Community and Living Well Together
- Dignity and Respect
- The impact of collective worship
- The 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.
During our most recent inspection all areas were judged to be 'outstanding'.
What the Inspectors said...
St Luke’s is a warm, welcoming and happy school.
Leaders at all levels ensure that distinctive Christian values are at the heart of the school; they are articulated exceptionally well by the whole school community.
The focus on respect for all leads successfully to very well-behaved and well-mannered pupils who are caring, confident and polite.
Leaders are inspirational and highly committed to the school’s development
We are all very thankful that the work we do for our learners and our St Luke's family is outstanding and are blessed that we have such a hardworking and passionate team that inspire children to achieve very high results whilst bringing joy to the lives of others.
Although judged to be 'outstanding' there is always more to do! We are all on a journey and will now support others in our church school community to provide high challenge, strong support and deep partnership through ambitious collaboration.
SIAMS Inspection Report
Click here to access our report
