All Church of England Schools receive a Section 48 Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) inspection as well as the regular Section 5 or Section 8 Ofsted inspection. The SIAMS 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 at inspection through seven strands.
Click here for the national Church of England SIAMS page which will also provide any updates linked to changes due to Covid-19.
Schools judged to be good or better at their last inspection will be re-inspected five years after the end of the year they were last inspected. (For example a school inspected in September 2015 would be re-inspected in September 2020).
SIAMS inspections will be carried out with no more than 1 week’s notice and the school will be informed of the date by the National SIAMS Team.
After the inspection, schools may request for a member of the Education Team to make a post-inspection visit to support the school in addressing the areas for development and inspection findings. Requests can be made by emailing ku.gr1685263678o.coi1685263678dsolg1685263678@smai1685263678s1685263678
A mid-term monitoring visit by the Diocese will be carried out to assess progress against the areas of development.
Schools that are likely to be inspected between September 2022 and July 2023 can be found in the list here.
Schools that are likely to be inspected between September 2023 and July 2024 can be found in the list here: SIAMS 2023-2024 likely list of schools PUBLISHED
The full national list can be found here.
Congratulations to our schools who have successfully been inspected under the SIAMS schedule this academic year.
Please click here to read their reports.
Please see below for additional information and resources for strands 1-5. Information on Spiritual Development in Schools, Collective Worship and Religious Education can be accessed using the navigation menu at the top of the page, or by clicking on those key words.
Dear Colleagues
Following the national SIAMS update sessions, I am delighted to now send you five key documents for your reference. All are now publicly available and can also be found on the SIAMS website along with the link to the recording of the webinar.
- SIAMS Framework September 2023 This will be implemented from September 2023, replacing the current Evaluation Schedule.
- SIAMS 2023 Transitional Guidance for Schools This is an advisory document that offers additional help for schools. It briefly explains some of the rationale that underpins the new Framework and is designed to help schools and trusts over the coming year.
- SIAMS 2023 Ongoing Self Evaluation Template This is referred to in the Transitional Guidance. Its use is not mandatory.
- SIAMS 2023 Summary Self Evaluation Template This is referred to in the Transitional Guidance. Its use is not mandatory.
- SIAMS 2023 National Update This is a pdf of the slides used at the national update sessions.
With best wishes,
Dr Margaret James, National Director of SIAMS
Church of England SIAMS information webpage Check the Church of England website which includes additional information and resources that may support you in your schools.
List of schools likely to be inspected between October 2021 and December 2022
SIAMS Evaluation Schedule (Revised September 2021) – UPDATED 211019
SIAMS Information for Schools UPDATED February 2022
SIAMS Appeals and Complaints Policy for Schools 220202
SIAMS Inspection Deferral Policy September 2021
RE Statement of Entitlement for Church schools Feb 2019
Church of England Vision for Education 2016
Valuing All God’s Children 2017
Mental Health and Wellbeing Guidance Sept 2018
Diocese of Gloucester Admission Policies – Advice on review and consultation June 2020
Diocese of Gloucester Model Policy for RE & Guidance Docs March 2020
Diocese of Gloucester Model Policy RHE and RSHE Guidance June 2020
Diocese of Gloucester Model Policy Collective Worship and RE March 2020
Diocese of Gloucester Model Policy for Spirituality
Diocese of Gloucester A3 SIAMS summary SEF template
Diocese of Gloucester A3 SIAMS summary SEF template alternative
Diocese of Gloucester SIAMS Audit tool and SEF template
Diocese of Gloucester Help with SIAMS SEF writing
The Education Team organise core SIAMS training annually in the Autumn term as well as specific training in each term. Please see the training brochure and book in via the google form. Please find out more about all our training on the Schools Training, Support and Events page.
Help! My SIAMS inspection is Due
For headteachers, RE leaders, Collective Worship leads, governors and those who lead on the Christian character of the school
This is an extended half-day course, with lunch, for headteachers, governors and those who lead on the Christian character of the school or aspects of the SIAMS schedule who are likely to be inspected in the next 12 months.
We will update you on the amended SIAMS schedule and the approach of inspectors post-Covid. There will also be the opportunity to select 2 workshops which will focus on particular aspects of inspection and the schedule including an opportunity for governors to evaluate and develop their strategic monitoring of SIAMS. Taking the spectre out of inspection!
Venue: Holiday Inn, Crest Way, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3RX
Cost: £95 per delegate
Spring Term
Wednesday 18 January 2023 at 10.00am to 2.30pm
Open to all ready for inspection from autumn 2023
Booking deadline: Wednesday 4 January 2023
Book in here
Summer Term
Wednesday 3 May 2023 at 10.00am to 2.30pm
Open to all ready for inspection from autumn 2023
Booking deadline: Wednesday 19 April 2023
Book in here
Schools, particularly where there is a change in leadership structure, or if they are due their SIAMS inspection shortly, and have not attended training, are strongly advised to attend this training. In addition, schools may also request bespoke in school training via the Education training, support and events webpage.
For further information about SIAMS inspections within the Diocese of Gloucester, please contact: ku.gr1685263678o.coi1685263678dsolg1685263678@smai1685263678s1685263678
Key SIAMS questions:
- How well the school has developed and implemented an inclusive and distinctive Christian vision, monitoring it’s impact to ensure the school’s original foundation is maintained.
- How well the school lives out that Christian vision in relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders.
When preparing for this strand you should consider the following three key questions:
- Who are we?
- Why are we here?
- And how then do we live?
Also consider how you develop partnerships, staff and leaders, governing board monitoring and evaluation, and progress towards SIAMS recommendations from your previous school inspection. (Please note that for your post-Covid inspection, inspectors will not be reporting on progress towards previous recommendations.)
Training 2022-2023 – IN-School MOT Vision & Leadership
Supporting Documents and other resources
Church of England (CE) Vision for Education
Diocese of Gloucester Life Vision
CEFEL Leadership Character report
CEFEL Pedagogy, Leadership & Theology Document
Key SIAMS question:
- How well the school’s staff and leaders apply their Christian vision to ensure curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities meet the academic and spiritual needs of all learners.
When preparing for this strand you should consider how you support the most vulnerable, how you talk about spirituality across the school (ADD link to Spirituality page) as well as your curriculum offer and the academic progress of all pupils.
Training – School approach to Spirituality (including ideas for embedding spirituality in the curriculum)
Supporting Documents and other suggested resources
Church of England Spiritual Development: Interpretations of spiritual development in the classroom
Our Language of Spirituality (ADD link to relevant page)
Diocese of Gloucester Spirituality Policy Template
A video animation explaining the potential role of reflection spaces in developing a child’s spirituality
Children’s Spirituality by Rebecca Nye (book available on Amazon)
Key SIAMS questions:
- How well the school’s Christian vision supports the character and moral development of all pupils, giving them aspirations for themselves and hope for the communities of which they are a part, including when circumstances are difficult.
- How well the school’s Christian vision inspires the whole school community to engage in social action and to be courageous advocates for change in their local, national and global communities.
When preparing for this strand you should consider how you develop aspiration, resilience and perseverance. Consider the following three questions:
- How does your curriculum deal with big questions of life and global awareness?
- How does your school inspire social action and pupils to challenge injustice?
- How does your school promote moral development and positive behaviour?
Supporting Documents and other resources
Church of England Courageous Advocacy document
Diocesan Partnership Links – list to follow (DH)
Global Neighbours Handbook (school accreditation scheme)
Key SIAMS question:
- How well the school’s Christian vision promotes social and cultural development through the practise of forgiveness and reconciliation that encourages good mental health, and enables all to flourish and live well together.
When preparing for this strand you should consider how your school inspires positive relationships, forgiveness and reconciliation, as well as; behaviour, inclusion, exclusion, attendance and mental health. This strand also explores social and cultural development.
Supporting Documents and other resources
Church of England Mental Health & Wellbeing Guidance
The Archbishop of York Young Leaders Award
GHLL Mental Health Champions (Gloucester Award)
Gloucester Cathedral A guide to Christian Meditation
Gloucester Cathedral Rule of Life
‘No Outsiders’ an inclusion programme that enables conversation around diversity and inclusion
GCC Restorative Practice information and introduction to how restorative practice works
Key SIAMS questions:
- How well the school’s Christian vision creates an environment that embraces difference where all pupils, whatever their background or ability, can flourish because all are treated with dignity and respect.
When preparing for this strand you should consider how your school challenges any form of prejudice and deals with issues of difference and diversity. Also consider your school’s approach to relationships and sex education, and how safeguarding is approached.
Supporting Documents and other resources
Church of England Valuing All God’s Children
Church of England RSE additional guidance and materials
Goodness and Mercy PHSE resources RSHE for Church of England schools
More information and resources are available to support governors and monitoring in a church school
