New SIAMS framework - 'radically different, radically the same'
Emma Maltby
Passionate about problem solving solutions. Loves schools, systems and processes, dogs and coffee (in no particular order)
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,
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
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.
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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?’:
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
For further reading support - head to SIAMS Inspections | The Church of England and/or contact your local Diocese directly.
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1 年Thanks for the info, Emma. I’ve been working with schools all this time and knew very little about this stuff. Really useful article! Ta!