Section 48 inspection report
A link to the latest section 48 inspection report, the separate inspection of a school's religious character, such as SIAMS for Church of England schools. It is expected for schools with a religious character.
Check this on my websiteWho it applies to
- Published on
- The school's own website
- School type
- Academies and maintained schools
- School stage
- All stages, from early years to sixth form
- Only applies to
- Schools with a religious character
- Does not apply to
- No school types are excluded
When is it due?
- Renewal
- No fixed date
The official sources set no renewal date. Keep it accurate whenever it changes.
What's needed
Consider publishing a link to the most recent section 48 denominational inspection report on the statutory information or about-us page.
What it must contain
No parts listedThe official sources name no separate parts for this requirement. We check that it is published and easy to find.
What the official sources say
Set out in 1 official source:
Maintained schools: governance guide
A governing body must : – make reasonable arrangements for the public to inspect the report
Expected§ 7.5.2 Section 48 inspections > The section 48 report
Questions schools ask
Does every school have to publish the section 48 inspection report?
The official sources we check set no requirement for academies. The official sources we check set no requirement for maintained schools. It only applies to schools with a religious character.
When does the section 48 inspection report need to be published?
Renewal: No fixed date. The official sources set no renewal date. Keep it accurate whenever it changes.
Where does the requirement for the section 48 inspection report come from?
It is set out in Maintained schools: governance guide.
Changes to the official sources
Dated change notes published by the Department for Education on the sources above.
15 July 2026 · Maintained schools: governance guide
We have updated the governance guide to reflect new duties which come into force from 1 September 2026, and other recommendations. We have outlined the changes in the ‘What has changed – July 2026 update’ section.
19 November 2025 · Maintained schools: governance guide
First published.
We last checked these sources on 21 September 2026.
Is this on your school's website?
We check your site the way an inspector or a parent would find it: page by page, against the official wording of each requirement. If it's there, you get the page and the words we found. If it isn't, you get every place we looked.
Check this one requirement free, or scan your whole site against every requirement.
Official wording that does not apply to schools (5)
It is the general duty of a person conducting an inspection under this section— a to report on the quality of the denominational education provided by the school for any pupils to whom denominational education is given by the school, and b to report on the content of the school's collective worship,
Church of England and Methodist schools are subject to SIAMS inspection approximately every five years.
Please find below all of the SIAMS reports relating to schools that have been inspected since September 2021. Please contact the SIAMS team if you cannot locate a report.
SIAMS inspections are carried out in line with the 2023 Framework and in line with national policies. Those who experience SIAMS can expect that all conduct will be characterised as being 'in a Christian manner'.
SIAMS inspection is supported by a suite of documentation, including policies. Please refer to these, eg read the Framework or the Annual Report of the National Director of SIAMS.
Official sources last checked 21 September 2026 · register version 1.0.4