All schools are, by now, aware that in addition to developments in Ofsted arrangements, what were formally Section 23 inspections of Church schools have also undergone significant changes. From now on they will be known as SIAS (Statutory Inspections of Anglican Schools) inspections.
Our Diocese has been very involved with the development of this inspection system with both Leslie Stephen and Jo Fageant being members of the National Society’s consultative group. The aim has been to ensure that SIAS inspections sit appropriately alongside those of Ofsted. To this end, they will be about verifying each school’s evaluation of itself.
The new inspections will focus around four key questions the answers to which combine to substantiate a headline judgement in answer to the question, ‘How distinctive and effective is this school as a Church of England School?’. The other questions are as follows:
- How well does the school, through its distinctive Christian character, meet the needs of all learners?
- What is the impact of collective worship on the school community?
- How effective is the religious education?
- How effective are the leadership and management of the school as a Church school?
Although this is a new way of expressing things, it is clear that SIAS inspections focus on exactly the same areas of school life as did Section 23 inspections. What does, perhaps, have a slightly different feel is that the much shorter reports (two pages only) will include clear judgement statements, using the Ofsted terms, outstanding, good, satisfactory or inadequate, in response to each of the above questions. Relevant documents can be found at the foot of this page.
Schools, of course, have to be able to describe and explain how they are distinctive and effective as Church schools and be able to provide evidence to substantiate their claims. Some schools will find this easier than others. In order to support schools with these elements of their self evaluation, the National Society has developed a toolkit. This is a substantial Word document. It is intended to be exactly what its name implies – a toolkit to help schools. It unpacks and thoroughly explores a wide range of aspects of each of the inspection questions in order to highlight for schools all the evidence they may have, or be able to gather, to answer each of the four main questions as richly as possible. Individual schools may feel they do not need to answer all the prompt questions in detail in order to demonstrate their distinctiveness and effectiveness as Church schools. Equally, schools should not be constrained by the toolkit if they have other evidence they want to include.
Diocesan advisers will be talking with heads, staff and governors about this as well as running courses which are advertised in the Schools’ Department CPD book.
We have finalised, as best we can, a process within Church House to adminster SIAS inspections. There are, however, still one or two uncertainties in the system, mainly to do with our links with Ofsted. At present it seems unlikely that we will know the date of inspections before schools do. This means that, at least initially, we are not going to be able to organise concurrent inspections. We are, however, strongly recommending that a SIAS inspection should take place within eight working weeks of an Ofsted inspection. To enable this to happen we are asking schools to let us know as soon as they get the call from Ofsted. They will then need to make available copies of their National Society Toolkit and Ofsted Self Evaluation Form. We hope Ofsted contractors will contact the Diocese at the same time that they ring schools but it is no more than a hope at this stage.
The Diocese will continue to organise inspections on behalf of governing bodies. For schools in the service agreement there will be no cost. However, for those schools which have chosen not to be part of that scheme there will be a charge of £50 to cover the cost of arranging an inspector and quality assuring the inspection. Similarly, as before, schools which are not part of the service agreement requiring additional support over and above the annual visit will be charged at the standard rate of £400 per day or £200 per half day.
SIAS Process
(This will be considered to be in draft form until, through experience, we are confident the system can run in the way suggested below)
Schools contact Church House once they have heard from Ofsted
Non-service agreement schools are invoiced for £50 to cover administration costs
Inspector selected and contacted
Contracts and letters are sent to school
Inspector and school liaise on most suitable date for inspection
Church House informed of agreed inspection date
Draft report sent to Diocese for quality assurance within five working days of the inspection
Inspection report forwarded to National Society
Inspection report posted on Diocesan website within one month of the inspection |
Documents
SIAS Contract
Contract for the Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools (England) - Word
SIAS Framework
A framework for inspection and self-evaluation of Church of England schools - PDF
Self Evaluation Toolkit
The National Society Self-Evaluation Toolkit for Anglican Church Schools - Word
VA Inspection Report Format - Word
VA Judgement Recording Form - Word
VC Inspection Report Format - Word
VC Judgement Recording Form - Word
