Self-evaluation form (SEF)

Ofsted believe that each school is best placed to recognise their own strengths and weaknesses. The SEF allows a school to demonstrate that they can not only diagnose where their strengths and weaknesses are, but more crucially, do something about improving and developing them.

The self-evaluation form serves as the main document when planning an Ofsted inspection, and is crucial in evaluating the quality of leadership and management and capacity of a school to improve.

Writing a SEF That Works

This publication shows schools how to prepare for their next inspection by self-evaluating against the outcomes of Every Child Matters.
It gives clear guidance on how Ofsted will judge schools in the new inspection framework along with practical advice on which areas of the school promote the 5 outcomes.

Every Child Matters: Writing a SEF That Works (Ring-bound) by Chris Quigley

SEF Made Simple

Written by a registered inspector gives helpful step-by-step guidance for writing or reviewing your SEF. It is intended to be a practical guide for use by Headteachers with their leadership teams and governors.
The sections include:

Main things to understand about writing the SEF
Guidance on each question in the SEF, highlighting the type of evidence you might refer to
Key pointers for evaluating the success and quality of your self-evaluation underpinning the SEF

SEF Made Simple by Simon Camby

Improving performance through school self-evaluation and improvement planning

Improving performance through school self-evaluation and improvement planning has been produced jointly by the DfES and Ofsted. The guidance suggests ways to manage the self-evaluation process without adding to the bureaucratic burden on schools. It also includes advice to schools to keep Part A of the self-evaluation form short and to the point.

Self-evaluation form (SEF)

Writing a SEF That Works

SEF Made Simple

Improving performance through school self-evaluation and improvement planning

SEF Login