The pupils and staff at St John’s CE Primary School are really proud of their ‘Excellent’ SIAMS inspection outcome – the best possible quality grade a church school can be awarded by the National Society for the Church of England.
SIAMS is the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) and is a similar, additional inspection to an OFSTED inspection undertaken at Anglican and Methodist faith schools. SIAMS explores the question of “How effective is the school’s distinctive Christian vision, established and promoted by leadership at all levels, in enabling pupils and adults to flourish?” Inspectors look at the quality of leadership, school vision, distinctive ethos, quality of collective worship and RE provision in making a judgment on the school.
Following a robust inspection in May 2022, St John’s CE Primary were delighted to secure an ‘excellent’ judgement in all areas, putting the school in the top 20% of schools nationally to be inspected under the SIAMS framework.
The report highlighted that ‘Transformation is an everyday occurrence at St John’s. Inclusivity is paramount here; everyone articulates and lives this out.’ The report also describes the school as ‘an oasis of hope’.
The quality of collective worship was judged to be excellent with inspectors describing it as “a joyous golden thread running through and beyond the school day”. The RE provision was similarly praised with the inspection team describing RE as “the jewel in the crown” of the school curriculum.
Inspectors were also keen to applaud staff and student behaviours, attitudes and relationships after their visit to the Academy. Pupil’s behaviour was described as “exemplary… and thinking of others first is as natural as breathing for pupils’ in the school. Staff were described as “unafraid to tackle barriers to inclusion firmly and effectively. They champion every pupil as their own”.
In addition to comments around the vision, values and church ethos of the school, the schools approach to inclusion and diversity was highlighted as a strength. Inspectors recognised that “An intentional approach to inclusion and diversity blossom from the school vision. This ensures that pupils say with confidence “everyone is special and equal” at St Johns.
Canon Gary Hodgson, Chair of Governors, said:
“It is so rewarding when an inspector is able to recognise and articulate, in their report, something that captures the essence of who we are as a school.
To become a school that is a ‘place of transformation’ and ‘an oasis of hope’ requires a Christian vision which is ‘treasured, loved and lived by all members of the school community’, and the result is a special place where ‘all members of the school community are enabled to thrive’.
I am grateful to our inspirational Headteacher, our amazing and dedicated staff team and our totally wonderful children for all they do to make St John’s such a special place.”
Mr Andrew Knight, Headteacher of St John’s CE Primary School, said:
“It is an honour to serve the children and their families within our school community. This report serves as recognition and praise for our whole staff team who continue to work together ‘putting our children and our families at the heart of everything they do.” I was particularly proud when our children explained to the inspector that ‘everyone is special and equal’ in our school; this is testament to the hard work our whole team puts into ensuring all our children are able to flourish – our children really do ‘believe and succeed!’”
To read the full report click here