SIAMS report finds Widcombe Junior School to be Excellent

Widcombe C of E Junior School in Bath has been classed at Excellent in all aspects following a visit by inspector Daphne Spitzer for their Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) Report.

The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) places emphasis on evaluating the influence of a Church School’s Christian vision on both pupils and adults in the school community. Much like OFSTED, inspectors request to engage with important individuals and groups including pupils, staff, governors, subject leaders, senior leaders, parents, and clergy.

Apart from scheduled discussions with these individuals and groups, the inspector is also likely to have informal conversations throughout the day with additional people such as parents at the school entrance, pupils during playtimes and lunch breaks, and midday supervisors.

Widcombe Juniors was found to have a notable ‘generosity of spirit’, with the vision and values of the school being spoken about by the pupils with ‘animation and passion’. The pupils often mentioned throughout the report that the school allows them to ‘stretch themselves’ and that their teachers support them to understand ‘their feelings’ and understood that they would be able to flourish and grow because of this.

Due to the ‘motivating and challenging’ curriculum being delivered by their teachers, pupils were found to be ‘fully engaged’ with the ability to ‘reflect deeply and critically explore their own beliefs’. Not only this, ‘pupils demonstrate a deep love of the subject particularly valuing the opportunities provided to learn about a wide range of beliefs and world faiths including Christianity.’

The pupils of Widcombe Juniors are also a positive influence in their local community, with their key values of ‘Friendship, Kindness, Perseverance, Respect, Honesty and Hope’, intertwined with the values of ‘Democracy, The Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance’ setting the high standard the pupils hold themselves accountable to.

Not only are the pupils compassionate, the staff and parents of Widcombe Junior School work endlessly to improve the area in which their children are flourishing. As a result of this the pupils are driven to change their world – this has led to them completing clean air projects around the city centre as well as pursuing actions to help less advantaged children around the world.

“We were absolutely delighted with our grading of Excellent which is testament to the hard work of all our staff and children,” said Mr Harley, Headteacher and Becky Wilson, Executive Head of Widcombe Junior School. “We are really proud of our school and the values we hold; it is brilliant to know that these are so well-embedded and that the children can articulate these confidently.

“A special thanks has to go to Niamh Morgan and Kat Hughes, our Church School leads, who have worked so passionately in preparation for SIAMS and ensuring our Christian vision is firmly rooted in what we do at Widcombe Junior School.”

SIAMS report key findings:

• The school’s inspirational leaders create a culture of exceptional care and support which lives out its Christian vision. Through this, pupils are enabled to grow in love for learning, each other and the world around them.
• A highly original approach to spiritual growth, embedded in the whole curriculum has a strong impact on all aspects of school life. This contributes significantly to the school’s vision enabling all to flourish.
• Leaders, together with staff, create a vibrant learning community where difference and diversity are welcomed and celebrated. Pupils feel empowered to take action on behalf of others.
• Pupils have an excellent understanding of their roles as leaders of worship. This is ensuring its high-quality development at the heart of the school’s vision. They are now sharing their expertise with their partner schools, though not with the other Church schools in the trust.
• The high quality of teaching and learning in RE at Widcombe Juniors is excellent. As a result, it is recognised as a very enjoyable and valued academic subject enabling all to flourish.