Ellis Ferdinand's Desk

Your Complete Guide to SEF and Preparation – Ellis Ferdinand’s Expert Insights for Ghanaian Schools

4th July 2025

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Ellis Ferdinand’s full guide to the School Self‑Evaluation Form (SEF) and preparation strategies. Learn how to assess your school, organize evidence, and align with GES inspection standards.

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A robust School Self‑Evaluation (SEF) is the cornerstone of inspection readiness and school development. According to education expert Ellis Ferdinand, an accurate, reflective, and well-evidenced SEF empowers Ghanaian schools to drive continuous improvement while meeting GES and NaSIA standards.

📘 What Is a School Self‑Evaluation (SEF)?

A School Self‑Evaluation (SEF) is a structured tool that evaluates your school against national standards. It identifies strengths, highlights areas for growth, and supports informed decision-making.

Under GES guidelines, a valid SEF:

Covers leadership, teaching, learning outcomes, welfare, and governance
Is evidence-rich, factual, and objective
Is reviewed and updated at least once per term

🎯 Why SEF Is Critical for Ghanaian Schools

Inspection Readiness: Inspectors expect a strong SEF during visits—it’s a starting point for discussion and evaluation.
Quality Improvement: SEF findings guide actionable steps that feed into your School Improvement Plan (SIP).
Accountability: SEF promotes transparency with stakeholders—staff, parents, the district, and the GES.

🧾 SEF Structure According to Ellis Ferdinand

Ellis Ferdinand recommends organizing your SEF by domain:

Leadership & Management
Quality of Teaching & Learning
Pupil Outcomes & Performance
School Environment & Welfare
Governance & Compliance

For each domain include:

Evidence categories (e.g., policies, meeting minutes, lesson plans)
Performance statements (e.g., “Leadership is distributed and accountable.”)
RAG ratings (red/amber/green)
Strengths, weaknesses, and next steps

🧭 Step‑by‑Step SEF Preparation Guide

Collect Data & Evidence: Exam results, attendance, lesson observations, CPD logs.
Engage Stakeholders: involve teachers, students, parents, and PTA in review.
Write Clear Reflections: Use direct language—avoid phrases like “somewhat effective.” Be precise.
Use RAG for Clarity: Red = urgent needs, Green = strength, Amber = needs improvement.
Set Next Steps: Conclude with clear, time-bound recommendations.

📚 Organizing Evidence for Each SEF Domain

Leadership & Management: meeting minutes, action plans, delegation charts
Teaching & Learning: lesson plans, peer observation notes, CPD certificates
Pupil Outcomes: term reports, BECE data, SBA records
School Environment & Welfare: inspection reports, health logs, student forums
Governance & Compliance: policy documents, attendance registers, PTA minutes

📄 Properly labelled binders or digital folders make retrieval seamless during inspections.

🚫 Common SEF Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Vague Narratives: Avoid generic praise—be concrete
Evidence Gaps: If you’ve rated a domain green, ensure multiple proof points
Solo Completion: SEF must be a collaborative exercise—capture diverse perspectives

🔗 Linking SEF to Your School Improvement Plan (SIP)

Your SEF findings directly inform the priorities and actions in your SIP:

Turn “areas for improvement” into SIP goals with SMART targets
Use SEF evidence to evaluate goal progress termly

This ensures your SIP becomes a dynamic, evidence-led roadmap, not a static document

👥 Preparing Your School Community for SEF Review

Host staff workshops to explain SEF structure and goals
Share purpose and process with students and parents
Encourage student voice and feedback during evidence collection

🧩 Mock SEF and Internal Quality Assurance

Schedule peer SEF reviews among departments
Have senior leadership conduct mock inspections mid-term
Use findings to rehearse improvement planning and documentation

🔗 Featured Internal Resources

Boost your SEF process with these key resources:

❓ FAQs on SEF Preparation

1. How often should we review the SEF?
At minimum once per term, but aim for monthly mini-reviews.

2. Should students and parents participate?
Yes! Their feedback is essential evidence for reflection and validation.

3. Can SEF be digital?
Absolutely. A shared Google Drive or school management system works well.

4. Does inspection focus more on SEF or physical evidence?
Both matter—SEF provides context, evidence proves it.

5. How to measure SEF progress?
Track RAG status changes and reference in SIP monitoring updates.

✅ Conclusion: Make SEF Part of Your Daily Rhythm

Ellis Ferdinand’s approach transforms SEF from boxes and forms into a reflective, evidence-driven exercise—integral to daily school life.

Invest in all-school engagement, rigorous data collection, honest reflection, and strategic improvement planning. Do this, and your school will not only be inspection-ready but genuinely on track to excellent, sustainable outcomes.