Guest Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Just revising our SEF. I seem to remember someone saying that their inspector had told them they should have rated themselves higher, i.e. outstanding in some areas rather than good, if I recall correctly. I have 2 questions about this: firstly, can anyone point me in the direction of criteria to decide which category we are, and secondly, if we rate ourselves too low, would this limit the level we could actually achieve? Presumably not because it wouldn't work the other way round, if you rated yourself too highly! I think I'm over-complicating things through looking at it too long, but everyone on here is so helpful!
Gezabel Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 It might have been my message you are thinking of. In our recent inspection the inspector told us the only criticism of our SEF was that we had been rather modest in the grading sections. Rating yourself too low or too high won't impact on the result you receive. I think they look for 'true and accurate reflection' in the SEF where you acknowledge what you do well and identify where and how improvements could be made, I think they then look to see whether they can see evidence in your practice to support what you have said in the SEF. Well that's my recent experience and understanding after asking the inspector about the impact of SEF.
Guest Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Last time I was inspected I put 'Good' for everything. That was before the EYFS when it was just a form. The inspector disagreed and said I was Outstanding. So this time I put Outstanding in all areas on the SEF as they were the ones who called me Outstanding, and I know I have improved even more since that inspection. I don't really like to grade myself as I don't think I am in a position to judge whether or not my provision 'stands out' compared to others and I am always very self critical and see room for improvement. I believe it to be an inspector's job as they are the ones who are in and out of settings all the time and should be best placed to recognise good/bad/indifferent! Luckily, however, the inspector last week agreed with my SEF.
Guest Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 I think it's inevitable that we find it hard to call ourselves 'outstanding'. (Also you will always have the worry that they might think you are over rating yourself and react by grading you down.) What I did was choose one or two areas where I know we are particularly strong, and put 'outstanding' for those, and good for the rest. Hopefully they will disagree in a positive way - well done all these outstanding settings!
Guest Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Thank you for that everyone. I don't like grading myself either. I think shall do the same as you, SuzieC8.
Guest Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 We just got outstanding, I had graded good for everything and outstanding for safeguarding but was confident for the outsatnding there. She said I had judged too harshly. Ofsted online has guidance how to complete.
Guest Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 (edited) What a good question! I remember, but don't know where to find it exactly on their website (does anyone else find it difficult to navigate?) but OFSTED had a guidance document highlighting what 'satisfactory' 'good' 'outstanding' looked like Think it may have been a training document for inspectors?? Edited March 17, 2011 by gingerbreadman
Guest Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 Hi I used this one? Using_the_early_years_evaluation_schedule.pdf
Alison Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 we had our inspection two weeks ago and I haven't put any gradings in and she didn't say anything about that she did say I didn't sell myself in the SEF that we did lots of good things and I shouldn't be afraid to brag about it I was told ages ago and I don't know who by that if you grade yourself lower than you think Ofsted doesn't have to look to see if you are better but if you grade yourself as higher Ofsted has to justify why they don't think you are that high dont be afraid to brag SEF is your chance to tell ofsted about all the good stuff you do that you might forget to tell them on the day
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