The documents in the ASCL self-evaluation framework (SEF) toolkit reflect the renewed Ofsted Framework that was published in September 2025.
This resource includes different tools designed to support school leaders in finding an approach to self-evaluation that works for them and their school.
The
SEF toolkit 2025 consists of:
- an audit tool for leaders to use when carrying out self-evaluation of the ‘expected’ and ‘strong’ criteria
- a concise SEF template summarising key strengths and weaknesses
- a ‘planning call’ template to support leaders wishing to prepare for the 90-minute pre-inspection phone call with inspectors
Further information
It is important for schools to understand that inspectors have no expectations about the format and structure of self-evaluation. Schools should do whatever works for them, and it is our hope that these new resources will help them to do so.
This suite of tools is designed to be flexible and schools should use the tools which best suit their needs and context.
We are grateful to Tony Thornley, Steve Rollett and Tom Middlehurst for their work in developing previous versions of the SEF toolkit.
The ASCL self-evaluation toolkit is free for members.
ASCL members: download the SEF toolkit