SEF CHECKS

Getting your SEF right is absolutely key to preparation for a Section 5 inspection, to the inspection itself and to the ensuing report that goes to parents. However, writing a sharply argued SEF that really does justice to your school and is backed up by watertight evidence requires a very particular set of skills. Even the most effective schools have not necessarily honed their SEF-writing skills, but Illumine’s SEF checks support you in making your SEF as good as it could possibly be.

Schools are finding that this service makes a real difference because the advice is rigorous and objective, provided only by consultants highly experienced in inspection quality assurance as well as being trained to inspect under Section 5.

Illumine’s standard SEF checks (£500 + VAT) provide you with:

• a critique of your SEF, section by section, and advice on how to strengthen and refine your argument;
• a thorough analysis of your most recent RAISEonline report, and guidance on how to explain and respond to the data;
• advice on potential inspection issues and what specific evidence to provide;
• assurance that you have provided the information required in the ‘right’ sections of the SEF so that an accurate picture of the school emerges and no important information is omitted.

Illumine’s mini-SEF checks (£250 + VAT) provide you with:

• a thorough analysis of your most recent RAISEonline report, and guidance on how to explain and respond to the data;
• a brief overview of whether your judgements hold together and whether there are major aspects of the SEF that need revision.

Illumine’s SEF re-reads (£150 – £250 +VAT, depending on the amount of work required) provide you with:

• an objective view about whether there are still aspects of the SEF that could be refined further after you have undertaken an initial revision following a standard SEF check;
• positive feedback and encouragement as you prepare for your inspection.

How our SEF check service works:

• You send us your SEF, your most recent RAISEonline report as e-mail attachments, together with your contact details (and preferably also book the service by using the booking form accessible from the bottom of this page by clicking ‘Book a SEF Check’), making clear whether you want a standard or mini-SEF check.
• Our consultant analyses your SEF and RAISEonline report and produces a written critique which is e-mailed back to you.
• You incorporate the advice into your SEF, strengthen your evidence base where necessary and use the process to inform inspection preparation, school improvement and staff development.

This is what headteachers think about our SEF checks:

The £500 spent on the SEF check from Illumine has been the best value for money expenditure our school has made this year. The detailed commentary on every element of our SEF was clear, honest and to the point. It provided excellent advice on how to improve our document. Working with Illumine on the SEF process has enabled us to construct a robust SEF that allows us to go into the inspection process with much greater confidence. I cannot recommend the SEF check from Illumine highly enough.  Ian Hodgson, Headteacher, Byron Primary School, Bradford

I have only positives to say about Illumine SEF checks. The feedback was honest and pointed out all the weaknesses as well as, of course, the strengths. In particular, Illumine helped me to edit down the SEF; work out what to put where; focus on the impact of our work; and how to address the difficult aspects, for a special school, of providing relevant evidence. I was then in a strong position to take the SEF to consultation with staff and governors. I am delighted to report that we have just received an ‘outstanding’ grade in our recent inspection and equally delighted to report that Illumine was  a very strong, professional and caring guide in that process. Yvonne Hill, Headteacher, The Children’s Hospital School at Great Ormond Street and UCH, London