The self-evaluation form (SEF): governors' role

What's a SEF?

A self-evaluation form (SEF) is a snapshot of where your school is at a point in time.

It identifies your school's strengths and weaknesses and (often) grades the school against the current Ofsted inspection framework or some other basis for grading. In completing the SEF, your senior leadership team can determine which areas of improvement to focus on.

There's no set format that your school has to use to present the SEF. However, Ofsted will request to see 'a summary of any self-evaluation or equivalent' from your school on the first morning of an inspection (see paragraph 78 of the school inspection handbook). 

How is it different to the SIP?

The SIP is a roadmap of where your school expects to be by the end of the academic year and how it'll get there. It sets out your school's major objectives for the year based on the areas for improvement