New SIAMS framework - 'radically different, radically the same'

This September sees the introduction of new SIAMS framework, which the Church of England describes as radically different, radically the same - let's explore why.

What is SIAMS??

If you’re not already familiar with SIAMS, it's the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist schools. Its purpose is to help a school be the very best Church school it can be - living out its original foundation through its Christian vision. By law, Church schools must have an inspection of collective worship, RE, and SMSC.?

So, what's changed?

It's now called a ‘Framework’ rather than a ‘Schedule’. This is because it provides a framework within which to work, rather than a schedule/list of criteria to meet.

There will be 6 inspection questions for all schools, and a 7th for VA schools – teaching and learning in RE. Also,

• It focuses on impact - asking high level questions, scrutinising a range of evidence, and observing typical school practice?
• It does not expect any specific strategies, materials, resources etc. to be used, as long as impact is evident
• It holds trust leaders to account for their work with Church schools
• Evidence will be gathered collaboratively

The key differences are the use of judgements not grades (so no grade descriptors), an emphasis on school context and outcomes (not methods) and no lists of criteria.

Inspections will continue to look at scope (RE, worship, vision and SMSC), Christian vision, concepts (e.g. courageous advocacy), be evidence-based and have high standards.

What does this mean for schools?

It does not intend to reimagine what it means to be a Church school, change the everyday, in-school agenda, lower the bar for Church schools or remove the requirement for evidence. It will focus on

• A more discursive inspection process that honours school leaders’ knowledge and expertise
• The work of each school to be driven by a theologically rooted Christian vision
• Acknowledgement of the specific context of each school and removal of the one-size fits all sets of criteria

What does this mean for trusts?

Although SIAMS remains an inspection of an individual school, trusts will be held to account through SIAMs inspection for their responsibility for Church schools.

The data that is generated through SIAMS will help shape what is understood by a ‘strong trust’ for Church schools. Trust accountability will also be explored through each one of the inspection questions.

What are the inspection questions?

Prior to inspection, schools should have established their context - ‘Who are we?’ and ‘What are we doing here?’ - ready for the inspection questions (or IQs), which relate to ‘How then shall we live and learn together?’:

1. How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision enable pupils and adults to flourish?
2. How does the curriculum reflect the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision?
3. How is collective worship enabling pupils and adults to flourish spiritually??
4. How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision create a culture in which pupils and adults are treated well??
5. How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision create an active culture of justice and responsibility?
6. Is the religious education curriculum effective (with reference to the expectations set out in the Church of England Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education)?
7. What is the quality of religious education in voluntary aided and former voluntary aided schools, or in former voluntary controlled schools in which denominational religious education is taught?

What Judgements can be made?

As Judgements will be evidence based, school leaders and inspectors will work together to create a robust and comprehensive evidence base. Inspectors will evaluate this evidence before holding school and trust leaders to account, and making a judgement putting the school into one of two categories:

Judgment J1 ‘Through its vision and practice, the school is living up to its foundation as a Church school and is enabling pupils and adults to flourish.’, or?

Judgment J2 ‘The school’s vision and practice are not enabling it to fully live up to its foundation as a Church school.’ then giving a reason (or reasons) selected from 7 possible specific areas, of which any permutation is possible.?

J2 will also highlight the school's strengths as well as the areas which it needs to focus on. For example, ‘the school may not have ensured that the provision, profile, and priority of RE result in an effective curriculum. However, collective worship may be enabling the school to be a spiritually flourishing community.’

Any J2 judgement will trigger a diocesan/MAST intervention and support and reinspection earlier/after 3 years.

Summary of Key Changes

• Judgements replace grades
• Each school needs to have a theologically rooted Christian vision
• High level inspection questions with a focus on impact replace exhaustive lists of criteria
• Each school’s specific context plays a greater role than at present
• Trust accountability for academies is brought to the fore.

For further reading support - head to SIAMS Inspections | The Church of England and/or contact your local Diocese directly.