Our aim is for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.

The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) team manages the statutory denominational inspection of all Anglican and Methodist schools and academies in England. It also plans and delivers training to all inspectors, and implements a system of quality assurance.

Effective quality assurance is at the heart of ensuring that we run an inspection system that fulfils our commitment to inspect ‘in a Christian manner’. Quality assurance has several different guises, and we are committed to providing sufficient capacity to ensure consistently high quality inspection for all schools.

Whilst the team works remotely, maintaining contact with each other is a crucial aspect of our smooth working, and relationships are at the heart of the work. We aim to set an example for what SIAMS inspectors expect to see in Church schools, treating others with dignity and respect, and valuing each individual for who they are.

As National SIAMS Adviser, you will provide regular quality assurance of inspection practice and capacity for the promotion of, and research into high quality practice in Church schools, and the analysis of inspection feedback.

The working hours for this post are 35 per week,Monday to Friday - school term-time only. As this position is term-time only, it is considered part-time.

An enhanced DBS check will be required.

To arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact David Tait david.tait@churchofengland.org

The closing date for applications will be 21 September 2023.

Interviews will take place on 27 September 2023.

The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minority Ethnic Backgrounds and disabled people.

We offer a unique environment with opportunities for continuous learning, generous annual leave for work life balance, season ticket loans and a range of benefits including discounted entry to attractions and what we feel is a market leading package when it comes to our pension scheme.

The Role

Carrying out the quality assurance of inspection practice:

• Working with the SIAMS Inspector Competencies, reviewing and evaluating the inspector’s work at each stage of the inspection process- offsite pre-inspection, preparation, onsite evidence gathering and post-inspection critical reading of the report.
• Preparing a written report detailing the strengths and areas for development in the inspector’s practice to be shared with the inspector and Director/Deputy Director of SIAMS.
• Feeding back on the outcomes of the quality assurance of the inspection to the inspector who has been quality assured.

Evaluating the content of inspection feedback, analysing it and making recommendations for improvements to/with the Director of SIAMS:

• Review and analyse collated feedback data from schools identifying trends and areas for action of further research.
• Present feedback findings to the Director of SIAMS, together with recommendations for future inspection practice.
• Review the range/scope of feedback solicited from schools and make recommendations to enhance the utility of this feedback.

Managing the process and content of case studies for the online SIAMS ‘National Repository of Knowledge’:

• Liaise with schools identified as able to provide case studies and manage the process of collating the required information.
• Oversee the content of case studies ensuring they are reliable, relevant and accessible.
• Work with the SIAMS Training and Management Officer to present the case studies on the SIAMS webpage.

Providing capacity for regular research visits to schools and dioceses:

• Undertake research visits to schools on an aspect/aspects of SIAMS inspection at the request of the Director of SIAMS/ Deputy Director of SIAMS.
• In the absence of the Director of SIAMS/ Deputy Director of SIAMS, provide point of contact support for the Duty Desk and inspectors on inspection.

The Requirements

Essential

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Good oral communication skills – including empathy, tact, clarity, and a focus on coaching.
• Good written communication skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines, especially in the production of reports and other written forms of communication.
• Skilled at identifying needs for improvement and an ability to ‘take people with you’ in discussions.
• Discursive skills that enable people to feel at ease when talking.
• Self-motivated and with the capacity to work from home most of the time.
• Ability to be flexible in response to need, including when things do not go according to plan.
• Aptitude for being solution-focused.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Knowledge and experience of SIAMS inspection.
• Understanding of Church schools – their vision, foundation, and legal requirements.

Personal Attributes:

• Kind and understanding of the circumstances of others.
• Team player.
• Organised.
• Attention to detail.
• Pride in own work and commitment to high standards.

Education:

• Teaching qualification.

Circumstances:

• Able to work from home and travel to other locations (principally central London) approximately once a month for team meetings, with expenses paid.
• Ability to drive and the willingness to travel to Church schools and dioceses in all parts of England, with expenses paid.

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Requirements:

• Does this role require a DBS check? Yes.
• Enhanced with Children’s and Adults’ Barred List.

Desirable

• Experience working with websites and multi-media case studies.
• Experience as a SIAMS inspector.

In the National Church Institutions (NCIs), we support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. We work with parishes, dioceses, schools, chaplaincies and other ministries, and with national and international partners including mission agencies, and other denominations and faith groups.-.

Find out more about working for the National Church Institutions by visiting Careers | The Church of England

NCI values

• We strive for excellence
• We collaborate
• We act with integrity
• We show compassion
• We respect others

We welcome everyone and we accept and value people for who they are and what they contribute, treating others in the way we would wish to be treated ourselves. We actively listen to and include others, encouraging and enabling everyone’s voice to be heard in discussions and decisions. When we disagree, we aim to disagree well with respect and kindness.

We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you. If there is anything we can do to support you in your application please get in touch via email to hr.recruitment@churchofengland.org.

• As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.
• We are a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.