SIAMS stands for Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools. It is the statutory inspection process used to evaluate how effectively Church of England and Methodist schools live out their Christian foundation and enable pupils and adults to flourish.
SIAMS inspections are carried out under Section 48 of the Education Act 2005 and are separate from Ofsted inspections.
While Ofsted evaluates the quality of education and wider effectiveness of schools, SIAMS focuses specifically on their Christian character, vision and the difference these make to the lives of children, staff and the wider school community.
Church schools are normally inspected approximately every five years, although the timing of inspections can vary.
The current SIAMS Framework, updated in September 2026, places a school's theologically rooted Christian vision at the centre of inspection.
Rather than simply checking whether schools meet a prescribed list of requirements, inspectors explore how a school's Christian vision shapes its decisions, relationships, curriculum and everyday experiences.
The central focus is whether the school is living up to its foundation as a Church school and enabling pupils and adults to flourish.
As a Church of England Voluntary Aided school, Mawnan is evaluated through seven inspection questions:
1. Christian Vision
How does the school's theologically rooted Christian vision enable pupils and adults to flourish?
2. Curriculum
How does the curriculum reflect the school's theologically rooted Christian vision?
3. Collective Worship
How is collective worship enabling pupils and adults to flourish spiritually?
4. Culture and Relationships
How does the theologically rooted Christian vision create a culture in which pupils and adults are treated well?
5. Justice and Responsibility
How does the theologically rooted Christian vision create an active culture of justice and responsibility?
6. Religious Education
Is the religious education curriculum effective?
7. Quality of Religious Education
What is the quality of religious education in voluntary aided and former voluntary aided schools, and in former voluntary controlled schools in which denominational religious education is taught?
The current SIAMS approach no longer uses the previous Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate grading system.
Instead, inspectors evaluate the impact of the school's Christian vision and determine whether the school is living up to its foundation as a Church school and enabling pupils and adults to flourish.
Inspections celebrate effective practice while also identifying priorities for further development.
At Mawnan Church of England VA Primary School, our Christian vision is at the heart of everything we do:
"Using our God-given gifts to let our light shine."
Rooted in the biblical teachings of 1 Peter 4:10 and Matthew 5:14–16, our vision inspires us to recognise the unique gifts and talents of every child, nurture their potential and encourage them to use their gifts to make a positive difference.
Our six Christian values of compassion, respect, perseverance, trust, peace and hope guide our relationships, our curriculum and our approach to school life.
We believe that every child is precious, valued and capable of flourishing. Through our ambitious curriculum, nurturing environment, inclusive practice and strong community relationships, we strive to provide an education that enables children to experience life in all its fullness.
Our SIAMS inspection provides an opportunity to reflect on how effectively we bring this vision to life and how it shapes the experiences and achievements of our children and adults.
Mawnan Church of England VA Primary School's most recent SIAMS inspection took place in October 2023.
Our inspection report provides an independent evaluation of our effectiveness as a Church school, including the impact of our Christian vision, Collective Worship, Religious Education and wider school life.
Read our latest SIAMS Inspection Report – October 2023
We remain committed to building on our strengths, reflecting on our practice and continually developing our Christian distinctiveness so that every member of our school community has the opportunity to flourish and let their light shine.