> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cleverschool.systems/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Ofsted Self Evaluation

> Conceptual Model, Roles & Operations

> [card] [Getting Started](./getting-started)

> [card] [Tutorials](./tutorials)

> [card] [Workflows](./workflows)

## Introduction

The Ofsted Self-Evaluation Form (SEF) module provides a collaborative framework that enables school leaders, department heads, and governors to maintain an inspection-ready self-evaluation. It systematically aligns granular evidence against statutory inspection criteria while synthesising strategic narrative summaries across every domain of the Ofsted inspection framework.

***

## Conceptual Architecture Model

The Ofsted SEF is organised into four interrelated architectural components:

* **Context Statements (`Context`)**: High-level narrative statements positioned at the forefront of the SEF that establish the school's unique operating environment, pupil demographics, community context, and institutional characteristics.
* **Priorities & Inspection Trajectory (`Priority`)**: Specific records detailing recommendations and areas for improvement identified during the previous Ofsted inspection, documenting the school's response and tangible progress alongside high-level priorities that link directly into the School Development Plan.
* **Inspection Areas (`SefOfstedArea`)**: Strategic inspection domains (such as *Quality of Education*, *Behaviour and Attitudes*, *Personal Development*, *Leadership and Management*, *Early Years Foundation Stage*, and *Sixth Form*). Each area carries an overall evaluation rating, an assigned **Area Owner**, a collaborative comments stream, and five structured evaluative text sections (*Summary*, *Actions Taken*, *Impact of Actions*, *Strengths*, and *Areas for Development*).
* **Inspection Items & Criteria (`SefOfstedItem`)**: Granular inspection descriptors and statutory criteria representing expectations for *Good* and *Outstanding* judgements. Each item is assigned an **Item Owner**, an evaluative status, and rich commentary referencing supporting documentation or external hyperlinks.

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart TD
    subgraph ContextSection["School Context & History"]
        Context["<b>Context Statements</b><br/>• School demographics & admissions profile<br/>• Ethos, community & institutional factors"]
        Priorities["<b>Priorities & Inspection Response</b><br/>• Recommendations from last Ofsted report<br/>• Actions taken & measurable progress<br/>• Overarching School Development Plan priorities"]
    end

    subgraph FrameworkCore["Ofsted Inspection Framework"]
        Area["<b>Ofsted Inspection Area</b><br/>e.g. Quality of Education • Leadership & Management<br/>• Overall Evaluation Rating (Exceptional / Strong / Expected / Attention)<br/>• Assigned Area Owner<br/>• Five-Heading Evaluative Text Summary<br/>• Progress Distribution Spectrum Bar<br/>• Collaborative Leadership Discussion Stream"]
        Item["<b>Ofsted Criterion Item</b><br/>• Good & Outstanding inspection descriptors<br/>• Evaluative Rating (Exceptional / Secure / Insecure / Weak)<br/>• Assigned Item Owner<br/>• Evidence Commentary & Hyperlinks"]
    end

    Context --> Area
    Priorities --> Area
    Area -->|Contains multiple| Item
```

***

## Evaluative Rating Scales & Visual Indicators

To ensure immediate clarity and actionable insight, the module uses standard colour-coded rating scales across areas, items, and dashboard visualisations:

### 1. Area Evaluative Ratings (`SefAreaEnum`)

Each inspection area is assigned an overall holistic judgement:

| Evaluation Tier | Badge Colour | Description |
| :- | :- | :- |
| **Exceptional** | **Blue** | Practice across the area substantially exceeds standard expectations with sustained, exemplary impact. |
| **Strong** | **Green** | Practice consistently meets and often exceeds statutory inspection benchmarks. |
| **Expected standard** | **Lime** | Practice securely meets required inspection standards with solid evidence across criteria. |
| **Needs attention** | **Orange** | Key criteria require targeted intervention or developmental support to reach expected standards. |
| **Not evaluated** | **Slate / Grey** | Baseline state before a formal overall evaluative judgement has been recorded. |

### 2. Item Criteria Ratings (`SefItemEnum`)

Individual criteria within each inspection area are rated according to evidence security:

| Status Tier | Badge Colour | Description |
| :- | :- | :- |
| **Exceptional** | **Blue** | Evidence demonstrates outstanding, sector-leading practice against this descriptor. |
| **Secure** | **Green** | Robust evidence confirms this criterion is fully and reliably embedded across the school. |
| **Insecure** | **Orange** | Developing practice where evidence is inconsistent or partially established. |
| **Weak** | **Red** | Significant shortfall against the standard requiring urgent developmental priority. |
| **Not evaluated** | **Slate / Grey** | Initial unrated state awaiting self-evaluation review. |

### 3. Dashboard Visual Indicators

* **Progress Spectrum Bar**: Visual distribution bar indicating the proportion of criteria evaluated across each status colour within an area or across the entire school.
* **Assigned Criteria Bell (`fa-bells`)**: Displayed on an area row when the currently logged-in user holds direct ownership of one or more underlying criteria within that domain.
* **Notification Paused Icon (`fa-pause`)**: Indicates that real-time email notifications for updates in this area are temporarily paused to facilitate extensive drafting without generating notification noise.
* **Comments Counter**: Displays the number of active discussion threads and notes logged against an inspection area.

***

## Roles & Permissions Matrix

The module provides role-based access control to maintain data security, delegate responsibility, and support seamless governance:

| Permission / Action | Administrator | Ofsted Manager (`sef_ofsted_manager`) | Ofsted Owner (`sef_ofsted_owner`) | Ofsted Viewer (`sef_ofsted_viewer`) |
| :- | :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: |
| **Enable / Disable Module** | | | | |
| **Appoint Ofsted Managers** | | | | |
| **Assign Owners & Viewers Roster** | | | | |
| **Manage Areas & Items (Create/Archive/Delete)** | | | | |
| **Allocate Area & Item Ownership** | | | *Area Owner Only* | |
| **Pause / Resume Notifications** | | | *Assigned Areas* | |
| **Manage Context & Priority Statements** | | | | |
| **Edit Area Summaries (5 Headings)** | | | *Assigned Area* | |
| **Update Item Status & Evidence Commentary** | | | *Assigned Item* | |
| **View SEF Overviews & Detailed Criteria** | | | | |
| **Add Threaded Comments to Areas** | | | | |
| **Export Custom PDF Inspection Dossiers** | | | | |

***

## Core Screen Tour

### 1. Ofsted SEF Hub (`/sef`)

The primary executive dashboard displaying:

* **Global Progress Bar**: Aggregate overview of all evaluated criteria across the school.
* **Inspection Areas Table**: Searchable, paginated directory listing each inspection area, overall evaluation rating, criteria progress bar, assigned Area Owner, and discussion comment links.
* **Bulk Management Actions**: Managers can select multiple areas to pause notifications, resume alerts, reassign owners, or generate bulk PDF exports.
* **Quick Navigation Header**: Instant links to **Context Statements**, **Priorities**, **Manage** (Admin Console), and the **Print / Export Dossier** modal.

### 2. Area Detail Workspace (`/sef/{area}`)

The operational evaluation workspace for an individual inspection domain:

* **Area Header**: Displays domain title, overall evaluation pill, Area Owner contact link, and overall criteria progress bar.
* **Five Evaluative Text Sections**: Rich-text cards for *Summary*, *Actions Taken*, *Impact of Actions*, *Strengths*, and *Areas for Development*. Area Owners click the edit icon to refine content.
* **Inspection Criteria Table**: Lists all underlying statutory descriptors, their evaluated status, assigned Item Owner, and evidence comments. Item Owners click the edit icon to update status judgements, log explanatory notes, or insert hyperlinks.
* **Collaborative Discussion Panel**: Slide-over drawer for threaded notes and developmental discussions among leaders.

### 3. Context Statements (`/context`)

* Create, reorder, and refine contextual statements that set the scene for the school's self-evaluation.
* Formulate clear statements regarding pupil background, Free School Meals (FSM) / Pupil Premium percentages, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) intake, English as an Additional Language (EAL) profiles, and community characteristics.

### 4. Priorities & Previous Inspection Response (`/priorities`)

* Record previous Ofsted inspection recommendations and areas for improvement.
* Document explicit actions undertaken, verified impact, and ongoing priorities aligned with the School Development Plan.
* Generate a dedicated standalone PDF printout of previous priorities and institutional responses.

### 5. Administration Console (`/admin/areas`, `/admin/area/{area}`)

* **Manage Areas (`/admin/areas`)**: Create custom local inspection areas, archive outdated areas, reorder domains, or restore archived entries.
* **Area Item Administration (`/admin/area/{area}`)**: Configure individual criteria, adjust descriptor wording, deactivate criteria not applicable to your phase, and assign item owners in bulk.
* **Owners & Viewers Directory (`/admin/owners`, `/admin/viewers`)**: Authorise staff members to hold ownership permissions or grant read-only visibility for governance.

***

## Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) & Central Synchronisation

For Multi-Academy Trusts, federations, and local authorities managing inspection self-evaluation across multiple academies:

* **Centrally Managed Frameworks**: Trust leaders can define and synchronise standard inspection criteria across all schools. Centrally managed areas and items display a locked icon (`isSynced`) and cannot be deleted or renamed locally.
* **Consistent Quality Standards**: Ensures all member schools evaluate themselves against aligned rubrics and expectations.
* **Local Evaluation Autonomy**: While framework structures remain standardised centrally, local school leaders retain full control over evaluation ratings, narrative summaries, evidence links, and staff ownership assignments.

***

## Next Steps

> [card] [Getting Started Guide](./getting-started)
>
> Step-by-step setup instructions for administrators and newly appointed Ofsted Managers.

> [card] [Tutorials & Workflows](./tutorials)
>
> Walkthroughs for setting context, drafting area summaries, evaluating criteria, and exporting inspection dossiers.


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