Glowing SIAMS praise for St Vigor & St John
An “exceptionally warm” and “loving” school, where children are treated in an “exemplary manner”, is celebrating after a glowing report by the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS).
St Vigor and St John Church of England (CofE) School, in Radstock, led by head of School Leah Sheppard, was applauded by inspectors for its firmly rooted Christian vision, which is empowering its 213 pupils to be “confident and aspirational learners”.
Inspectors noted that the wellbeing of all pupils is a top priority for the school, achieved by a “culture of exceptional care and support” and a “vision for a safe and loving community”.
Meaningful moments are embedded into school life at St Vigor and St John through the delivery of its collective worship provision, which brings children and adults together to reflect and flourish spiritually.
High praise was awarded to the school’s curriculum in the report.
The inspector said: “The school’s innovative and creative curriculum explicitly reflects the vision, its four cornerstones and values.
“It is highly motivating, enabling pupils to grow in confidence and thrive.”
Children are also “supported and enabled to be ‘adventurous’ by taking risks with their learning. This encourages them to grow in confidence and self-esteem”, the report said.
Inspectors added that school leaders are passionate and ambitious about religious education (RE), with pupils showing “respect and curiosity for a diverse range of faiths and worldviews”.
Inspectors praised the “exceptional support” provided by the Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust (BWMAT), to which the school belongs, highlighting the high-quality professional development that empowers staff to thrive — ultimately enriching pupils’ learning experiences.
Reflecting on the report, executive headteacher Chris Chorley said: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of our recent SIAMS inspection, and proud that inspectors recognised and genuinely felt the strength of the values that underpin every aspect of life at our school.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see our cornerstones — being adventurous, ethical, connected, and unique — acknowledged as central to our vision of ‘building a loving, sustainable community of adventurous lead learners’.
“We are immensely proud of all that we have achieved, and all that we continue to strive for at St Vigor and St John.
“We remain committed to building on this success, ensuring that every child flourishes and feels truly empowered to be both unique and courageous in their learning journey and beyond.”