For information on completing the Ofsted SEF, click here.

The inspection of denominational aspects of church schools is in line with the new requirements for Section 5 (Ofsted) inspection. This is known as the Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools (SIAS). It is now referred to as Section 48 (S48) [S50 in Wales] rather than Section 23. As previously, all church schools are required to be inspected under S48 when identified for a short-notice S5 inspection.

The SIAS framework

The National Society has produced a Framework for S48. It is accompanied by a Self-Evaluation Toolkit to assist schools in evaluating their effectiveness as a church school. The Framework is statutory. The Toolkit is not statutory but seen as an essential element for both school development and inspection. Both can be obtained (free) on the National Society website (www.natsoc.org.uk/schools/inspection).  A summary can be downloaded here.

The focus of the inspection

Core purpose of the inspection

To evaluate: ‘How distinctive and effective is the school as a Church of England School?’

Key questions

‘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?’ (Aided schools and controlled schools where parents have requested denominational RE only)

‘How effective are the leadership and management of the school as a church school?’

The report will address each of these questions, giving a clear judgement based upon the four point scale now used for Section 5 (1- outstanding; 2 – good; 3 – satisfactory; 4 - inadequate). The questions broadly cover the areas formerly reported in S23 inspection, but with a stronger emphasis on the leadership of the church school and the impact of the church school on members of the school community, particularly learners.

Changes within S48 inspection

The place of self-evaluation - the Toolkit

As with S5 inspection, the school’s own evaluation will provide the basis for dialogue between the school and the inspector and will determine the conduct and focus of the inspection. This will mean that inspectors will be more selective about the focus of each inspection in the light of issues raised in the school’s self-evaluation. They will seek to verify the school’s own judgments and follow trails arising from the self-evaluation, while at the same time forming a view on the 4 key questions. This may mean, for example, that not every class is observed for RE (as in the past) and that more time is spent gathering the views of learners on what it means to them to belong to a church school.

Schools will need to ensure that evaluations relating to the school as a Church of England (or Church in Wales) school are included in the Self-Evaluation Form (SEF) used for the S5 inspection. These evaluations need to be supported by secure evidence collected by the school. Help in completing the SEF to reflect the Church nature of the school is provided here.

The National Society Self-Evaluation Toolkit provides a format for collecting evidence about the effectiveness of the school as a church school and directly matches the four key questions of the Framework. Although these are not statutory (unlike the SEF), the S48 inspector will request the school’s self-evaluation record as a starting point to the inspection. The inspector is also required to make a judgement on the quality of the school’s self-evaluation under the section on leadership – describing it as ‘secure’, ‘developing’ or ‘ineffective’.  We strongly recommend the use of either the Toolkit or the self-evaluation document previously produced for the north-western dioceses and available from Sue Noakes; both include guidance.

What schools need to do

• Ensure a start is made on self-evaluation of the effectiveness of the school as a church school.

• Ensure that evaluations relating to the school as a church school are included in the SEF (guidance is given on this in the National Society Toolkit).

• Inform Sue Noakes as soon as notification is received of a S5 inspection.

• Agree the date of the inspection with the S48 inspector appointed and send (electronically) the SEF (when ‘unfrozen’), self-evaluation document and previous inspection report.

• Seek training on church school self-evaluation if necessary.

The role of the Diocesan Board

The DBE is eager to support schools throughout the self-evaluation process, including inspection. In the more general areas, this is more difficult because of the short notice given for S5 inspection. However, the DBE is committed to providing specific support for the S48 inspection process by:

• providing central and school-based training on the self-evaluation process and use of the Toolkit.  Training courses will be provided regulalrly.  We will also seek to provide individual training for schools prior to their first S48 inspection;

• ensuring that every school is aware of the new Framework and is able to access it;

• recruiting, training and deploying S48 inspectors;

• providing quality assurance through the monitoring inspections and reports;

• analysing data on inspections to monitor the effectiveness and distinctiveness of schools across the diocese;

• making available advisory support following the inspection.