How Picture News Supports the SIAMS Framework

Explore the latest Picture News resource here! Demonstrating how Christianity shapes school life is essential for Church of England and Methodist schools, especially ahead of SIAMS inspections. But did you know learning from the world around us using the news can support schools to build evidence for the SIAMS framework? Picture News weekly Collective Worship resources connect worship with what’s happening in the world, and reflect Christian values in action . As children explore thought-provoking questions about current events and build their understanding of global issues, they can ultimately grow as compassionate, informed individuals. The weekly resources align with SIAMS expectations, and can be utilised to embed and evidence flourishing , community , courageous advocacy and leadership . This blog explores SIAMS Inspection Questions (IQ) , and highlights how Picture News can support schools to fulfil these expectations and provide evidence for inspectors – using the news! IQ1: Flourishing How does the Christian vision enable pupils and adults to flourish? Flourishing is a key expectation assessed by SIAMS inspectors. By exploring philosophy-style questions linked to the news, and practicing empathy and introspective reflection within Picture News Collective Worship, the resources support Flourishing as children can explore purpose and their place in the world. Focusing on the big questions and thinking deeply about themselves, others and their responsibilities in an ever-changing world can contribute to children’s spiritual, moral, social and emotional growth – indicators which SIAMS inspectors look for. Picture News Collective Worship resources encourage children to show empathy, compassion, dignity and hope. Schools utilising the resources can create safe spaces for teachers and pupils, where opinions can be expressed respectfully, and children can show active listening whilst understanding their own value, influence and place in the world. Examples of evidence you could use for SIAMS inspections: Pupil reflections or quotes from weekly Picture News discussions. Displays showing values such as respect, wisdom, hope and compassion linked to weekly stories. Examples of written responses demonstrating confidence, curiosity and self-awareness, prompted by the weekly big questions. IQ2: Curriculum How is the curriculum shaped by the Christian vision? The SIAMS framework outlines that a Christian vision, rooted in theology, should shape Church of England and Methodist schools’ curriculum. Picture News Collective Worship resources can support teachers to bring this to life, offering pupils real-world context to think ethically, spiritually and critically about the world around them. Each resource contains fresh, timely content that can be utilised within RE, PSHE, English, geography, or collective worship coverage. With a news focus, the resources cover a variety of topics and themes, including justice, creation care, identity, community and responsibility. Regular use of varied Picture News resources can therefore support schools to apply the vision and themes assessed by SIAMS inspectors across the curriculum! Examples of evidence you could use for SIAMS inspections: Curriculum records showing weekly Picture News integration – we produce a coverage document each half term! Samples of work from children, showing their understanding of connecting the news story to justice, stewardship, or wider global issues. IQ3: Collective Worship How does worship reflect the Christian vision? As a values-based resource with philosophy-style questions, Picture News can enrich the wider worship life of schools, encouraging self-reflection and taking positive action out into the world. Many schools use their Picture News resources to reflect Christian values within topical contexts. The news focuses help pupils connect biblical ideas – such as hope, courage or thankfulness – to real-life examples, therefore supporting understanding of these concepts. Examples of evidence you could use for SIAMS inspections: Photos, slides or notes from worship and assemblies using Picture News. Records showing how weekly stories connect with worship themes. Pupil feedback from worship sessions – e.g., quotes about how they think a news story reflects biblical themes. IQ4: Community How is the school a community that lives well together? Lots of schools say that Picture News supports the SIAMS framework by promoting the idea that communities can ‘live well together’. By focusing on empathy within news discussions, Picture News can help facilitate respectful dialogue, giving children opportunities to develop active listening, and support to learn how to disagree kindly whilst hearing and understanding different perspectives. In doing so, Picture News sessions can demonstrate the SIAMS emphasis on dignity, respect and healthy relationships. Picture News also builds cultural capital, helping children and young people to explore cultures, beliefs and experiences. This supports inclusivity and highlights the diversity of the world around us! This means that teachers can use Picture News to help reinforce messages of inclusion and respect within their school community, by looking out to the wider world. Examples of evidence you could use for SIAMS inspections: Quotes from interactions during Picture News sessions, including respectful disagreement. Examples of positive discussion language in Picture News sessions, e.g., “I understand what you’re saying, however I think…” Examples of inclusive practices/changes in school, based on real-life learning. Examples of learning about diverse cultures and backgrounds. IQ5: Courageous Advocacy How does the school encourage social action? Courageous advocacy is core element of the SIAMS framework, and Picture News provides plenty opportunities for pupils to be inspired by positive role models and news stories. Stories often highlight individuals or groups working towards equality, kindness or positive change. As well as encouraging conversation, schools are often inspired to take action based on their Picture News learning. In response to their news learning, schools share that their pupils have: Written letters Led fundraising efforts Organised petitions Entered the Picture News Impact Awards Initiatives and actions like these can help schools show SIAMS inspectors how their pupils show courageous advocacy – as they take informed action after learning from news around the world. Examples of evidence you could use for SIAMS inspections: Records of pupil-led actions linked to Picture News topics from each academic year. Entries into the Picture News Impact Awards. School newsletters or social media posts celebrating courageous advocacy work. IQ6: RE How effective is RE? Although SIAMS doesn’t assess RE directly, it’s an important aspect of a school’s Christian character, and Picture News can contribute to the enhancement of RE lessons with fresh content and a real-life focus! Weekly stories highlight current issues and topics, which can be connected to beliefs, values and personal experiences and perspectives. Teachers often use Picture News as a stimulus for enquiry-based learning or to explore moral issues. Our weekly news content can be used flexibly, to support pupils in understanding how faith can influence action, therefore supporting RE lessons with relevant and engaging focuses. Examples of evidence you could use for SIAMS inspections: RE books containing Picture News stimulus materials. Pupil quotes connecting news stories with belief and values. Lesson plans showing Picture News used within enquiry modules. IQ7: Leadership How do leaders embed vision, community and ethics? Picture News resources can support school leaders to build clear evidence of how the Christian vision shapes school life. The weekly structure of the resources provides consistent opportunities to discuss values, character, justice, global responsibility, and flourishing in school. Picture News also supports the professional development of staff in school – with teacher planning, discussion frameworks, and CPD webinars including training that links Picture News resources to SIAMS expectations and spirituality. This contributes to supporting teaching staff to demonstrate the school’s fulfilment of the SIAMS principles – vision, community and ethical leadership! Examples of evidence you could use for SIAMS inspections: SLT monitoring notes, referencing Picture News sessions in SMSC, British Values or curriculum reviews. Leadership statements describing how your weekly Picture News coverage supports school vision and ethos. Staff training records for webinars/CPD based on SIAMS and worship in school. Connecting SIAMS and real-life learning with Picture News Collective Worship resources Schools can showcase how the Christian vision shapes their school life – useful for SIAMS inspection preparation, reworking the curriculum, or supporting pupil flourishing and personal development. By embedding Picture News into discussions, assemblies, worship, and the wider curriculum, schools can show inspectors and their communities how pupils are growing into thoughtful, compassionate, courageous individuals, who engage with the world around them and can make a positive difference! Explore the latest Picture News resource here!