St Sidwells rated 'outstanding’ in Church School Inspection
The Archdeacon of Exeter, the Ven Christopher Futcher presented St Sidwell’s Church of England Primary School with their Outstanding Church School Inspection (SIAMS) certificate this week.
St Sidwells has retained their ‘outstanding’ status in their recent Church School Inspection (SIAMS - National Society Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools). The school serves an area with a diverse multicultural population and a high proportion of children have English as an additional language.
The school was rated as outstanding in their distinctiveness and effectiveness as a Church of England school. They were also rated as outstanding at meeting the needs of all learners and the impact of collective worship on the school community. The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the school as a church school was also assessed as being outstanding.
The report states that “Teachers deliver the subject with confidence and a good knowledge. They challenge the children to think more deeply and provide learning experiences that engage children in practical activities that animate them through an emphasis on discussion. Children have positive attitudes towards RE and eagerly engage in debate with a willingness to share their thoughts and listen with respect to those of others”.
The inspection also recognised that: “The school has very productive links with the local church through the support of the vicar and a number of other organisations who make a significant contribution to the life of the school”.
Commenting on the SIAMS award, acting head teacher of St. Sidwell’s, Tom Page said: “Everyone at St Sidwell's is delighted with the SIAMS inspection outcome.
"The inspector was particularly impressed with the confident, articulate nature of the children and their depth of thought when answering his questions.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, children, governors, parents and the whole school community for making St Sidwell’s such a special place to be – it is certainly pleasing to have the way we all feel about the school externally verified and acknowledged."
