Support in developing and writing your Ofsted Self Evaluations Forms

The demand for support and advice for drafting a quality school Self Evaluation Form (SEF) continues. We are conscious of the pressure on schools to do a great deal of this work electronically, with the additional complexity of linking SEF statements to relevant evidence. What many schools have yet to experience is the maintenance involved as the data moves on. We must also consider how the SEF can be most effectively shared with the many people who have an interest in its development and outcome.

In response to these issues, earlier this year we asked companies to provide a product that would help schools and the LA respond to the demands. This work was undertaken with a number of Headteachers (please see below) so that we could ensure we identified the right product.

I am pleased to inform you that after an extensive search a product has been found that we believe meets our needs. And, more importantly, has the capacity to grow and develop as needs change. The product is called 'Perspective' from Angel Solutions. The essence of the product is that it breaks down the SEF into more manageable pieces. It links your response to your evidence. It will let you share your SEF as it develops. It helps you manage your SEF through colour coding and alerts you to data changes. It will provide a link between the SEF, the School Development Plan and target setting processes. You can work with the LA online on SEF issues. The LA can, as before, use your self-assessments to deploy support. It supports you in planning and responding to other initiatives such as Healthy Schools. It will automatically submit your SEF to Ofsted whilst keeping a dated audit trail of your changes and submissions.

We believe this is an exciting tool for schools and the LA to use in partnership to improve the quality of SEFs, the self-evaluation process and communications.

We would like to make the product available free of charge to all schools as soon as possible and so we are currently working with the Headteachers below on a roll out programme. We anticipate the product being available before the end of this term. Please watch this space.

A preview to download is available in the 'My School' section of Esinet.

The Headteachers working with us on this project are:
Gerald Hampson, Headteacher, John Grant School
Barry Payne, Headteacher, The Parkside School
Rosemary Allen, Headteacher, Hethersett High School
Mike Beames, Headteacher, Stalham Middle School
Malcolm Gray, Headteacher, Robert Kett Junior School