All Church of England dioceses and the Methodist Church use the framework for the statutory inspection of Anglican and Methodist schools (SIAMS), published by The Church of England Education Office.

SIAMS inspections evaluate the distinctiveness and effectiveness of the school as a church school. Inspections take place under Section 48 of the Education Act 2005, which covers inspection of denominational education in faith schools in England.

SIAMS inspection focuses on the impact of the Church school's Christian vision on pupils and adults. This involves looking at the school’s Christian vision, the provision the school makes because of this vision and how effective this provision is in enabling all pupils to flourish. Church schools will employ a variety of strategies and styles appropriate to, and reflective of, their particular context in order to be distinctively and effectively Christian in their character and ethos. SIAMS inspectors therefore do not look for a set template of what a Church school should be like, but rather take the particular context of the school into account and base their evaluation on the outcomes rather than the process.

The Evaluation Schedule has one inspection question: how effective is the school’s distinctive Christian vision, established and promoted by leadership at all levels, in enabling pupils and adults to flourish?

This is explored through seven strands:

• Vision and Leadership

• Wisdom, Knowledge and Skills

• Character Development: Hope, Aspiration and Courageous Advocacy

• Community and Living Well Together

• Dignity and Respect

• The impact of collective worship

• The effectiveness of religious education 

One overall grade is awarded reflecting the contribution of these strands to the flourishing of pupils and adults in a Church school. In addition, a standalone grade is awarded in all schools for collective worship and in voluntary aided (VA) schools and former VA schools for religious education (RE). This grade is based on teaching and learning alone.