Schools Self-Evaluation

It has long been recognised that if a school is to maximise opportunities for improvement then the ability to self evaluate all aspects of work is crucial. Furthermore, the process needs to be regular and involve as many different groups who work in, or who have an interest in, the school. The well accepted cycle for school improvement includes the key question of "Where are we now?" as the starting and finishing point for each cycle.

Since January 2000 the Ofsted inspection framework has included each school's evaluation of its work as a central piece of pre-inspection evidence. Indeed from September 2003 the framework was adjusted and inspection now, in effect checks out the school's own judgements recorded through self-evaluation. Currently inspection is under review and a completely new framework is being tested. Proposals suggest inspections will be shorter but more frequent and the notice given to schools being reduced to a few working days. If these proposals become statutory then self-evaluation will become even more important to the process.

Both the LA and each individual school have a duty to review their provision for SEN and for all learners with learning difficulties and disabilities. The LLDD self-evaluation tool has been used by many schools over the last 5 years to evaluate their practice and provision for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities including pupils with SEN.

The tool has been revised in order that it is aligned  to the most recent Ofsted SEF form,  the Ofsted inspection framework and the range of data that is now available to schools. It will support schools in the process of self-evaluation before an Ofsted inspection and the Leadership and Management judgement of the school will be significantly supported by this process.

It is also important that each school reviews its provision annually, and from this audit creates a School Plan which captures the issues for action. The revised self-evaluation tool will support this process.

Click on the following links to access the complete document or different files from the LLDD self-evaluation tool:

• The Kent Learning Difficulties and Disabilities Self Evaluation Tool
  This is a link to the complete document.
  
  The links below are to extracts from within the complete Self-Evaluation Tool which can be downloaded separately and used:
  
  
• Guidance for the use of the LLDD Self-Evaluation Tool
• The Kent Learners with Learning Difficulties & Disabilities Self-Evaluation (November2008)
  A framework of 43 audit statements with criteria for Grade 2, 3 and 4 together with suggestions where you may look for the evidence.
• Appendices for Kent LLDD self-evaluation tool
  A set of nine monitoring forms which help you to gather evidence for your judgements
• Self-evaluation summary
  A document to capture your judgements as you work through the self-evaluation form
• Self-evaluation profile
  A single sheet to record the judgements of all 43 audit statements and collect the headlines for the issues for action
• LLDD Action Plan Proforma
  A template document for schools to use

Links to Documents on the Ofsted Website

• Writing a Self-Evaluation Form that works
• Using the Evaluation Schedule

If you have any queries regarding the information on this page please contact Diana Robinson.