Church School Inspection (SIAMS)

Section 48 (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools or SIAMS) inspection focuses on the effect that the Christian ethos of the church school has on the children and young people who attend it. 

Church schools will employ a variety of strategies and styles, which reflect their particular local context or church tradition in order to be distinctive and effective. Inspectors will, therefore, not be looking to apply a preconceived template of what a church school should be like.

The principal objective of the Section 48 inspection is to evaluate the distinctiveness and effectiveness of the school as a church school. Section 48 Inspections are carried out by accredited National Society inspectors who spend the equivalent of 1 day at the school talking with children and adults, gathering evidence and making judgements around four key questions:

1. How well does the school, through its distinctive Christian character, meet the needs of all learners?
2. What is the impact of collective worship on the school community?
3. How effective is the religious education? (in Voluntary Aided schools and academies)
4. How effective are the leadership and management of the school as a church school?

Our most recent report is available to read here: