Self-evaluation form (SEF): checklist and template

Last reviewed on 5 June 2023
School types: All · School phases: Primary
Ref: 3221

Use our SEF checklist to plan your monitoring activities and see what Ofsted is looking for. Download our template to help you evaluate your school against the Ofsted framework. Plus, see examples from a range of schools.

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Contents

  1. Checklist: identify your strengths and weaknesses
  2. Download our SEF template based on the Ofsted framework
  3. See examples of SEFs from schools

Ofsted doesn't expect your self-evaluation document to be graded or in any particular format. Any assessment you use should be part of your usual school improvement process and not for Ofsted (see paragraph 16 of the inspection handbook).

There are 2 parts to this article. Use our:

  • Checklist to evaluate your school against the Ofsted judgements (for example, if you're a new headteacher or you haven't had an inspection under the 2019 framework). You might not need to use the checklist – if so, skip straight to our template
  • Template to complete your SEF against the Ofsted framework, which will later help you write your school improvement plan (SIP)

Checklist: identify your strengths and weaknesses

KeyDoc: evaluation checklist against Ofsted framework DOC, 439.5 KB

RAG rate your school against the grade descriptors for each judgement area based on the School Inspection Handbook Pick out your strengths and include these in your SEF – this is a chance for you to

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