Sustainable School Self Assessment Tool S3

The updated SEAM [Schools Environmental Assessment Methodology] tool from the DFES builds on the requirement of schools to self assess their performance under Ofsted criteria on an annual basis. The self-evaluation methodology of Ofsted has been adapted for S3 to enable schools to record and report on their efforts to develop a sustainable school. The tool is not just used for inspection purposes but provides an opportunity to summarise a school’s sustainable development.

It follows the sequence of headings found in the Ofsted SEF framework

1. School Characteristics
2. Stakeholders’ Views
3. Achievement and Standards
4. Personal Development and Well-being
5. Quality of Provision
6. Leadership and Management

The programme can be used as a formative tool, monitoring progress at key review times and summatively, evaluating progress at key reporting times.

It should be used to assist the school in recording progress towards making the school more sustainable. It can be used at any time within the school self evaluation cycle but should be completed at least annually.

The tool asks the school to grade aspects of sustainable school practice on a four-point scale and provides exemplars of quality levels expected are included. The tool requires supporting evidence to be entered.

The tool also offers recommendations on improvement areas in curriculum, site and community that can assist sustainable development in the school. Again supporting evidence will need to be provided and additional supporting assessment questions will need to be answered.

Based on the evidence provided the tool will generate a report that benchmarks school practice, identifies progress made since a previous assessment and suggests possible action points.

The SEAM tool will be launching early next year (2006).