The Toolkit Evaluation Reference Sheet is a highly structured, operational document designed to support precise, evidence-informed self-evaluation across all Ofsted evaluation areas. It functions as a rapid diagnostic tool that enables leaders to align SEF writing, monitoring activity and strategic planning with the expectations set out in the Ofsted inspection toolkit. The content is organised into seven evaluation areas, each presented with a clear analytical hierarchy: core focus, key factors and expected standard indicators. This structure allows leaders to interrogate practice systematically and identify strengths, weaknesses and emerging risks with accuracy.
Purpose and Utility
Core Functions
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Provides a concise and authoritative summary of what inspectors evaluate.
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Supports the construction of evaluative statements that link evidence to impact.
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Ensures internal monitoring aligns with external inspection logic.
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Promotes disciplined analysis rather than descriptive or activity-driven accounts.
Operational Uses
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SEF drafting and review.
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Senior and middle leadership monitoring.
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Curriculum evaluation and subject leadership discussion.
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Preparation for inspection conversations.
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Alignment with school improvement planning.
Structural Overview
Safeguarding
Focuses on the effectiveness of safeguarding culture, systems and staff practice. Key emphasis is placed on professional vigilance, multi-agency engagement, high-quality record-keeping and leadership oversight. Expected indicators describe a secure culture where pupils feel safe, staff act confidently and leaders demonstrate continuous improvement.
Inclusion
Concentrates on how leaders identify need, remove barriers and secure equitable progress for pupils with SEND, disadvantaged pupils and those known to social care. It highlights the importance of early identification, consistent graduated approaches and well-considered use of alternative provision.
Curriculum and Teaching
Evaluates the coherence, ambition and disciplinary rigour of the curriculum, alongside the fidelity and consistency of implementation. It foregrounds subject expertise, assessment for learning, adaptive teaching and the removal of access barriers without lowering expectations.
Achievement
Focuses on what pupils know, remember and can do. Indicators relate to foundational skills, progression across subjects, quality of pupil work and preparation for the next stage of education. Specific attention is given to outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
Attendance and Behaviour
Assesses whether leaders secure a calm, orderly environment and strong attendance. It emphasises high expectations, early identification of attendance patterns, proportional behaviour systems and a respectful school culture.
Personal Development and Wellbeing
Examines broader development including character education, well-being, citizenship and enrichment. The sheet highlights the need for coherent, sequenced provision that prepares pupils for wider life experiences.
Leadership and Governance
Evaluates strategic oversight, improvement capacity, staff development, workload considerations and the accuracy of leaders’ self-evaluation. It describes effective governance, statutory compliance and the sustainability of improvement.
Conceptual Framework: Five-Step Inspection Logic
The sheet concludes with a distillation of inspection reasoning into five analytical steps: intent, implementation, impact, evaluation and improvement planning. This provides leaders with a clear logic model for writing SEFs and constructing SDPs that are rooted in evidence.
Summary Table
A quick-reference matrix maps each evaluation area to its core question and the specific dimensions inspectors scrutinise. This reinforces clarity and supports rapid diagnostic use during leadership discussions and monitoring cycles.
