CM Club - F'ing, F'ing SEF!!!!! I'm feel like SCREAMING at the STUPID online system!!!!!

[looneytune]

Sorry but this is twice this has happened now and I'M FUMING!!!! I spend time away from my family to complete this thing and I've just gone to press save after spending AGES on a section and it said I had to log back in (obviously timed out at some point) and now it's all gone and I've got to start again. This happened last night too . I could cry as I can't remember exactly what I put and now I've got to do it all again

I'm now doing it elsewhere and will put online at the end!!!

Soooo, be warned if you haven't already done it, probably best to type it up elsewhere then copy and paste!!!

I'm so f'ing annoyed!!!

feeling pretty stupid as I've only just realised I havent done my SEF yet and ofsted are probably coming next week or the one after. What happens if I havent done it yet? Will I be marked down or will they be able to see I have had enough elae on my plate with obs, assessment, profiles etc etc!? How often do we have to do the sef?

I'm not sure hun, I've got them coming this week and I know they like it done, I'm not sure if they'd downgrade you as such but I know this SEF can be of great help for the inspection.

Anyone else know the answer to this as I'm not sure?

I don'[t know either

I spent bloody ages on mine - but I had to email it to the inspector (thank goodness)

I've known two friends who hadn't completed their SEFs for their recent inspections and they were told it's one of the top things inspectors look for.

I have heard from people who have had their inspections that the inspectors are expecting to be able to read your SEF before they come.

Looney .... keep your chin up. You will be fine.

Apparently your SEF has to be done one month prior to Ofsted coming. If you havent done it, do it and print it off for them.

looney - I got the point of saving every other sentence - its the only way to ensure you don't lose it - I had the same trouble as you on countless occasions.......HATED IT!

But when the inspector called she said it was a good sign I'd obviously spent alot of time on my SEF...(ie it was very long!)

So I am hopign all the swearing and lack of sleep was worth it!

I couldnt do mine online - kept timing out... and it's soooo many pages long, and I lost patience So I downloaded it and it's on my compy, ready to print out for when OFSTED next come - should be in 2 years or so... they DO want to see this though, yes!

do your sef, it makes the inspection so much less painful, the inspector gets loads of evidence from it and that means they ask you less questions. I did mine quite thorougly, it was hell, but well well worth it. Also my inspector said that a lot of people dont evaluate themselves enough in it, she said it should be written for you, you should pick out the nghings you do well and the things you dont, plan what youre going to do next, etc, if you do this they will see that you are using sef properly and also that you are constantly evaluating your practice. I did mine over about 3 evenings I think. Good luck!
Oh, i did mine on word and emailed it to the inspector.Ive heard lots of people have had problems on line, also beware, you cant copy and paste from word to online system apparently.

AGHH! The printer is playing up and I now feel sick that I have not yet done my SEF . I can't believe how long I've spent on the eyfs stuff and completely overlooked the SEF...what a plank! I just hope I get it done before they come. Did someone say I could hand it to them when they arrive or do they need to see it beforehand? Any handy tips for what to say to the inspectors - I'm absolutely dreading it (surely it shouldn't be this stressful - I love my job!).

Things to say to inspectors:

• Would you like a cup of water in a plastic cup. We have a not hot drinks, or glass policy in the play room.

Hold on ... I'll get one of the children to pour you one from that open jug on the table, into one of the cups they have been dribbling in all morning . Then they can mop up the mess with their individual boxes of tissues

lol @ HSMM

do your sef in Word, and cut and paste it onto the online form. that way you cant loose it all.

You will have to paste it using "control V"

hope that helps

I'm so going to ask mine for ID when she turns up even though I had her last time and know exactly who she is LOL

And I am also going to tell her I am not plannign a fire drill today so if the alarm goes - its real!!!!

I'm also going to tell her I am expecting outstanding this time woman seeing as you had no good reason not to give me it last time except that "I was new to the profession".....

Oh that's plain ridiculous... I got an outstanding grade and was new to the profession... everyone is new at some stage!

I'm sure my inspection was reasonably short - a mere 2.5 hours - because I did quite a thorough SEF. My inspector rang and said she was happy to accept it even if I only submitted it online the day before the inspection. And in my feedback she said it had been very helpful for her. She hardly asked me any questions, didn't look upstairs or in the garden so I think she must have got most of the information she needed from the SEF. I know it's the most awful thing to fill in but I do think it's worth it if it means you get to tell the inspector all the good things that you're doing (which may get missed in an inspection) while also showing you're aware of your weaknesses.

jennipenni - i thought so too - but then I have yet to find a single report online from her that has been given outstanding so maybe she just doesn't do them?

thatsnotmyfairy - I agree - I spent alot of effort and time on mine because I figured the more she knew before she came the less she'd have to ask me!!