Statutory inspection of Anglican & Methodist schools

SIAMSMargaret James

&Shahne Vickery

Why make changes to the inspection schedule?

• To raise standards

• To increase parity of standards nationwide

• To clearly define ‘outstanding’

Scheduling arrangements• No link with scheduling of Ofsted

inspections• No more than 1 week’s notice• No negotiation of date• Pre inspection support• Getting evidence to the inspector• SIAMS inspection briefing (SIB)

When can you expect a SIAMS inspection?

• Schools judged to be good or outstanding at the last inspection – in the 5th year after the end of the academic year within which the last inspection took place

• Schools judged to be satisfactory or inadequate – between 3 & 5 years after the end of the academic year within which the last inspection took place

The principle objective of a SIAMS inspection is to evaluate

the distinctiveness and effectiveness of the school as a

church school

Structure of the evaluation schedule

• 4 core questions• Evaluation statements – MUST• Supporting evidence – MAY• Grade descriptors• Satisfactory remains• Change to inadequate• Summary judgement

How well does the school, through its distinctive Christian character, meet the needs of all

learners? • Academic achievement, personal well

being, attendance & exclusion• RE• Distinctive Christian values, as opposed to

shared human values, understood by all• Understanding of spirituality & spiritual

development across the curriculum• Understanding of Christianity as a multi

cultural world faith

What is the impact of collective worship on the

school community?• Distinctively Christian• Christian basis of school values• Trinity• Spiritual development• Planning, leadership & evaluation• Prayer• Engaging, inspiring, transformative

Collective worship cont…• Theological basis of worship &

pupils’ understanding of this• Key elements of worship• Centrality of prayer• Inclusive

How effective is the religious education?

• Emphasis on standards of attainment & achievement

• Quality of teaching & learning• Teaching of Christianity• National Society Statement of Entitlement• Role of subject leader & profile of subject• Learners’ acquisition & application of skills• Christian values

How effective are the leadership & management of the school as

a church school?• Role of governors• Monitoring & evaluation of the impact of

the school’s distinctive Christian character

• Explicit Christian vision & its impact• Future leaders of church schools• Self evaluation of the school’s distinctive

Christian character involving the whole school community

Leadership & management cont.• Areas for development

• Statement of Entitlement for RE• Live out & promote Christian values• Governors well informed about the

school’s performance & distinctiveness through self evaluation

• Whole curriculum informed by distinctive Christian vision

• Responsibility for leadership of RE & worship

Summary judgement• 4 core questions

• Ofsted

• School’s tracking data

• Attendance & exclusion data

Self evaluation• Needs to identify distinctiveness &

effectiveness as a priority• Should include all members of the

school community• Must lead to improvement• Should be up to date• See Traffic Light Grids• National Society self evaluation models

Timetable

• Informed by the SIB• Initial discussion with headteacher• Data scrutiny • Joint lesson observations• Staff, pupils, governors, parents,

academy sponsors• Time for reflection• Feedback

Evidence required• All self evaluation on day of

notification• School development plan• RE action plan• RE assessment data, planning and

books• Relevant policies• Actions since last inspection

Complaints • Any disagreements should be

resolved with the inspector on the day of the inspection if possible

• Contact Margaret James post inspection if necessary

• Resolved by Diocese or passed onto National Society

Inspection support from the Diocese

• Mid inspection cycle support visit• Pre inspection visit or phone call• Post inspection visit• Training courses, resources &

publications• Website