Inspection reports
Ofsted Report: July 2024
Whitefriars is an OUTSTANDING school! We are extremely proud of our latest Ofsted report. See below for the full report.
SIAMS Report: March 2024
During March 2024, we were subject to a SIAMS inspection. The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) is the Church of England and Methodist Church’s outworking of the requirements of section 48 of the Education Act 2005. It is a key element of the life of all Church of England and Methodist schools in England.
SIAMS explores ways in which each school’s theologically rooted Christian vision drives its work and enables the school to live up to its foundation as a Church school. It does so by seeking to answer six or (in the case of Voluntary Aided schools) seven Inspection Questions (IQs).
- IQ1: How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision enable pupils and adults to flourish?
- IQ2: How does the curriculum reflect the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision?
- IQ3: How is collective worship enabling pupils and adults to flourish spiritually?
- IQ4: How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision create a culture in which pupils and adults are treated well?
- IQ5: How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision create an active culture of justice and responsibility?
- IQ6: Is the religious education curriculum effective (with reference to the expectations set out in the Church of England’s Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education)?
- IQ7: 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?
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.
Inspectors make one of two judgements:
The inspection findings indicate that the school is living up to its foundation as a Church school, and is enabling pupils and adults to flourish.
Or
The inspection findings indicate that the school has strengths, but that there are also issues that leaders need to address as a matter of priority.
Our report highlights what a wonderful school Whitefriars is. Below are some of the key phrases from the report used to describe our school:
The Whitefriars school community is committed to its Christian vision to build strong foundations for all. Inspired by this common purpose, adults and pupils support each other to be resilient and to succeed.
- Worship provides a welcoming and reflective atmosphere that includes and enriches everyone.
- This inclusive and diverse school promotes a mutually supportive culture of high expectations regardless of need or background.
- Adults and pupils live well together with dignity because leaders demonstrate how to treat everyone with justice and mercy.
- Well trained staff employ carefully chosen resources to engage pupils with detailed knowledge and challenging questions.
- The calm learning atmosphere at Whitefriars helps pupils to grow in wisdom as they engage enthusiastically with their lessons.
- A love of singing expresses the strength of cooperative relationships within the school community. This sense of calmness and security enhances the emotional wellbeing of staff and pupils alike. The content of worship reflects the school’s Christian foundation.
- A group of pupils presented a powerful retelling of the Easter story in King’s Lynn Minster. This inspirational presentation enabled those present to respond emotionally and spiritually to the accurate depiction of the Bible story.
- The explicit promotion of a shared vision to build a strong future for all pupils draws different nationalities together.
- Leaders are diligent and relentless in their support for pupils with SEND.
- Strong foundations are built for vulnerable pupils through specialist additional provision, empowering them to access the curriculum with dignity.
- Specially trained staff are available to support pupils’ mental health.
- Poppy, the ever-present school dog, unites the whole school community in affection for her. She promotes positive emotions and can sometimes refocus pupils’ attention at challenging moments.
- Whitefriars is a generous and mutually supportive community.
- Adults treat each other with respect and consideration, and pupils are expected to follow their example.
- The school’s behaviour management system has very high expectations. Leaders have created a culture where pupils want to treat each other well.
- .The RE curriculum enriches the spiritual development of pupils by helping them to understand the power of emotion in religious experience.
- Pupils make good progress in RE because staff teach the well-planned curriculum with confidence. As a result, pupils can reflect upon their learning.
- Pupils’ understanding of the Christian religion is very well developed. In this ethnically diverse school, pupils know that Christians worship differently around the world.
Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) Framework
SIAMS report Whitefriars Church of England Primary Academy - April 2024