Our latest church school inspection (SIAMS) was on 10th October 2024.
The report gives an excellent summary of Tacolneston school, how our curriculum, provision and work as a school is shaped by our vision for all to “Shine as bright as the sky”.
Tacolneston is observed to be “a caring, inclusive school”, with children “given the opportunity to share their opinions, knowledge and gifts, enabling them to flourish”. A further strength was noted that “a strong foundation of trusting relationships across the school community characterises its nature.”
Inspectors were particularly interested in how our curriculum enables children to be creative, express themselves as individuals and demonstrate their own interests and strengths in their learning. “The new curriculum is broad and ambitious”, with “an emphasis on deep thinking and reflection”, and “pupils able to express their learning in a variety of ways”, along with “promoting the pleasure of music-making, art and forest schools.”
Children were observed to “behave well and be considerate. They treat each other kindly. Families appreciate the way older pupils are caring of younger ones.”
Collective worship is at the heart of our daily school life. The inspectors noted that “inclusive, joyful collective worship takes place daily.” “Children consider the school’s Christian values as important and impact on the way they behave and treat others.” “Pupils are encouraged to keep personal reflection journals, which might contain individual prayers, responses, poems and thoughts…these are unique to each child and offer a further opportunity to express their spiritual life.” In these ways, “pupils are able to express their thoughts and feelings, so leading to spiritual growth.”
Inspection of Religious Education (RE) is also a key focus of SIAMS inspection. Inspectors observed “pupils are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions and to reflect on their own responses to faith that is appropriate to their level of understanding…Pupils enjoy learning about people and what they believe. They are very clear on why it is important to learn about a variety of religious and non-religious views.”
Following on from the SIAMS inspection, we will be working on assessment and feedback in RE (and other curriculum areas) to enable children to make even greater progress with learning. We will be raising the profile of Christianity as a worldwide faith in RE, and we will be extending opportunities for children to explore issues of justice and responsibility, so that they can have personal influence and make a difference to the lives of others.
The full SIAMS inspection report can be accessed here.