Welcome from the National Director of 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.
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.
Please explore the information on these pages and contact us on [email protected] if you have any questions about the process.
If you have questions about how to access training and advice for your school, please contact your diocesan education team.
Sincerely,
Dr Margaret James
National Director of SIAMS
The 2023-2024 SIAMS Annual Report
List of Schools Likely to be Inspected 2024-25
Find a SIAMS Report
SIAMS 2024 Documents & Resources
SIAMS Documents are included below for reference by schools, dioceses, and inspectors for use from September 2024:
- SIAMS Framework - September 2024
- 2024 SIAMS Ongoing Self Evaluation Template
- 2024 SIAMS Summary Self Evaluation Template
- 2024 SIAMS Inspection Deferral Policy
- 2024 SIAMS Complaints Policy for Schools
- 2024 SIAMS Information for Schools
New! Developing a Theologically-rooted Christian Vision in Schools by David Tait & Paul Rusby.
A Fresh Look at Church School Inspection: Examining the 2023 SIAMS Framework by Margaret James.
To purchase either of these books please go to Education - Grove Books
Listen to the recent interview with Margaret James, National Director of SIAMS:
Called, Connected, Committed: Flourishing for All: SIAMS - Understanding the changes for September 2023
Listen to our recent podcast
The National SIAMS Team
The contact details for the National SIAMS Team are below.
Please note, we use two generic email accounts:
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SIAMS – [email protected] – for general SIAMS enquiries, including inspections, training, SIAMS Portal queries, and queries regarding documents and resources.
- SIAMS Admin – [email protected] – for any specific administrative functions (e.g. DBS Right to Work Checks, IR35 checks, employment paperwork, payment of invoices). For inspector use only.
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Dr Margaret James National Director of SIAMS Phone: 020 7898 1187 |
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David Tait Deputy Director of SIAMS Phone: 020 7898 1008 |
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Allyson Taylor SIAMS Adviser Phone: 020 7898 1253 |
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Jan Chandler SIAMS Management and Training Officer Phone: 020 7898 1495 For enquiries relating to:
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Kiri Thompson SIAMS Systems and Data Officer Phone: 0207 898 1407 For enquiries relating to:
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Gemma Grim Administration Officer Email: [email protected] For enquiries relating to:
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- Diocese
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Main administrative and pastoral area in the Church of England – often roughly coincides with local county boundaries. There are 42 dioceses.