SIAMs
Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS)
Purpose and focus of SIAMS inspections
All Church of England dioceses and the Methodist Church use the National Society'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.
What Is the SIAMS Framework? – A Parent‑Friendly Guide
The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) is the way the Church of England and Methodist Church evaluate how well a Church school is living out its Christian foundation. It is required under national education law and happens roughly every five years.
Unlike Ofsted, which focuses on academic standards, SIAMS looks specifically at the impact of the school’s Christian vision on the daily life of pupils and adults. The inspection explores how the school’s values shape decisions, relationships, wellbeing, learning and culture.
What Does SIAMS Look At?
Under the current national SIAMS Framework (updated for 2023/2024), inspectors explore how the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision influences:
Flourishing of pupils and adults, including wellbeing and personal growth
The curriculum, and how it reflects the school’s Christian values and aims
Collective worship, and whether it supports spiritual development for everyone in the school community
Relationships and school culture, ensuring pupils and adults are treated with dignity, respect and fairness
Responsibility and justice, helping children understand their role in contributing positively to society
The effectiveness of Religious Education (RE), based on national Church of England expectations
Each of these areas is explored through a set of Inspection Questions which guide the inspector’s evaluation.
How Are Schools Judged?
At the end of the inspection, SIAMS gives one of two overall judgements:
- The school is living up to its foundation as a Church school and is enabling pupils and adults to flourish, or
- The school has strengths but also issues that leaders need to address as a priority.
This means SIAMS focuses on impact and recognises that every Church school expresses its Christian character differently, depending on its context.
Why SIAMS Matters
SIAMS helps ensure that:
- Your child experiences a school culture shaped by strong Christian values
- The school’s Christian vision has a real, positive impact on learning, relationships, wellbeing and personal development
- Leaders continually reflect on and strengthen the school’s distinctiveness as a Church school
- All pupils, whatever their background or beliefs, are supported to “flourish” academically, socially and spiritually