Our Church School

 

Status and Character of the School

Riseley is a Church of England School, part of the Diocese of St. Albans but remains part of the maintained system of education and is operated in partnership with the Local Authority. The aim of a Church school is to provide the best possible education for each child within the context of a Christian community. All Church of England dioceses and the Methodist Church use the Church of England Education Office's framework for the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) under Section 48 of the Education Act 2005. 

Our school provides education for pupils of both sexes and all abilities aged 4 to 11.

The school stands on the site previously occupied by Margaret Beaufort Middle School. The school building was completed in 2 phases with the final phase completed in January 2020. The school is fortunate to have access to a multi-use games area (MUGA), large school field and a wooded area for Forest School.

We are always pleased to receive visitors. If you are interested in a place for your child, please contact the School Office, and we will be delighted to organise a tour and answer any questions you may have.

Purpose and focus of SIAMS inspections

All Church of England dioceses and the Methodist Church use the Church of England Education Office's framework for the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) under Section 48 of the Education Act 2005. The SIAMS Evaluation Schedule sets out the expectations for the conduct of the Statutory Inspection of Anglican, Methodist and ecumenical Schools under Section 48 of the Education Act 2005.

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:

1. Vision and Leadership

2. Wisdom, Knowledge, and Skills

3. Character Development: Hope, Aspiration, and Courageous Advocacy

4. Community and Living Well Together

5. Dignity and Respect

6. Impact of Collective Worship

7. 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.