Bluewave.SWIFT News

Bluewave.SWIFT, whilst continuing to focus on the importance of rigorous self-evaluation and appreciating the both subtle and clear differences between schools of different background, location and circumstance, has started on the long path to creating tailored self-evaluation templates for all schools. The first of these to be produced has been done in cooperation with one of our very own schools who has helped to closely scrutinise the generic SEF template to tailor this for Pupil Referral Units.

We shall be continuing to offer this service to all schools, current and prospective clients alike, to ensure that we are able to deliver the most suitable reports for all schools. If you would like to work with SWIFT to tailor your own report, we are booking-in time slots for our official trainers to consult with you with regard to changes you may wish to make to your own reports. For a free demonstration on how Bluewave.SWIFT can deliver the right report for you; be it for a PRU, SEN school, inner city, urban, international or independent; simply contact us via the website or in the office on 0845 4900 447.

Whilst 2010 saw the official demise of the Ofsted SEF, the message from Ofsted remains that self-evaluation is as important as ever. The expectation that a "new SEF" will be provided may or may not be realised but one thing is certain; schools cannot be without an inspection document and, perhaps more importantly, must be able to demonstrate their self-evaluation processes.

There is much talk across the sector regarding the provision of alternative SEFs but our experience tells us that almost all are simply Word documents based on the Draft Inspection Schedule and the Draft Evaluation Schedule released on the 30th of September.
www.ofsted.gov.uk/news/shape-of-school-inspection-2012-0

At Bluewave we believe there is a better solution, something that is practical, coherent and future proof; something that enables schools to build upon past successes and ensure that examples of good practice and achievement are always presented in the right place at the right time. Above all, it must be easy to use and it must save time.

To follow on from the success of our SEF transfer and SEF Builder packages Bluewave has turned the Draft Evaluation Schedule into a self-evaluation template and made it available within SWIFT.

The template provides the perfect starting point for all school levels and types when addressing whole-school evaluation. What's more the template is dynamic and can be tailored to suit any school's evaluation requirements; addressing Ofsted's desire to make self-evaluation an individualised process. Using SWIFT to complete your SEF means that when (or if) a new framework comes along your evidence will be automatically cross-referenced.

Presenting information has never been so easy; all your self-evaluation and evidence can be centrally stored and drawn upon when challenged, removing the need for endless paper-based systems. Furthermore if you purchase a full Bluewave.SWIFT licence you can enable your School Development Plan to drive the information into your self-evaluation document allowing multiple staff to contribute and removing needless duplication.

For £250* (+VAT) you can order the SEF template today by completing a copy of our order form and begin working in the 2012 inspection schedule. Or alternatively for a full online demonstration of the SWIFT package please contact us to check availability.

All current SWIFT Licence holders** will be provided the Bluewave.SWIFT Self Evaluation template for free in their package; for information on how to access it please don't hesitate to contact us.

Following on from the hugely successful SEF download service we offered during July this year, we are now providing an opportunity for you to build your own Self Evaluation Report within Bluewave.SWIFT utilising the very best features of this award winning package.

We acknowledge there is some expectation that Ofsted and other organisations will produce frameworks for supporting schools and we welcome this; the great news is that you can re-create any framework within SWIFT and still make use of the coherent approach that makes SWIFT the leading product for self-evaluation at all levels within schools. Even better news is that you can create your own 'SEF' today and simply re-map it when (or if) a new framework comes along later.

The SEF function is part of a new approach to whole school self-evaluation and there are other topics that can be addressed in the same way. We have created a type of report we call 'Snapshots' which can be very sharply focussed on a single topic e.g. Safeguarding, Behaviour etc. and the SEF Snapshot is simply a whole school version of the same thing – it's that simple!

Purchase this service now for just £250.00 + vat by downloading our order form and you can start building your own SEF today. AS A SPECIAL OFFER we will also transfer your current SEF* pdf/doc (if you have one) into SWIFT free of charge for purchases made before September 30th this year.

You will probably be aware that access to the online interactive SEF will cease as of 22nd July 2011. You will be able to save and access a Pdf copy and instructions on how to do this are provided by Ofsted here.

Some may ask "what use is another piece of paper?" and we would probably echo that question; schools are buried in paper and data and it's not always easy to get meaningful information to rise to the surface. However, there is an alternative. Bluewave.SWIFT is unique in many ways, one being that you can download your current Ofsted SEF directly into the system and carry on using it as a dynamic document, a workplace for ongoing self-evaluation across the school. We see that as a fairly basic requirement and the very least that service providers should offer. The real benefit of this approach comes once you have downloaded your SEF into SWIFT.

Your SEF will continue to be updated as evidence automatically flows between your SEF and your development plans and drives performance management and ongoing CPD. What this means for schools is that there is far less work to do, far less paper involved (none ideally) and huge savings in time.

"What if I want a new format for my SEF?" No problem; the Ofsted SEF can be changed in size and scope or, alternatively, you can create your very own format with your own focus or criteria built in. If a new Ofsted structure comes along then all of your existing self-evaluation and evidence will automatically re-surface in all the right places.

You may not yet be ready to take on board all aspects of SWIFT right now so we are making a special offer to schools that recognise the need for some continuity; download your SEF into SWIFT before 22nd July for just £95.00 + VAT and it will stay there ready for you to use later on. Should you decide to purchase SWIFT for use across all aspects of self-evaluation within the next twelve months we will credit you with the £95.00 already paid.

Please remember, Bluewave.SWIFT is the only independently assessed award winning system of this kind. The SWIFT network is growing each year and this is your easy option to join schools around the country that are already working in the 21st century.

Following the decision to abolish FMSiS in November 2010 there is a new Standard in the consultation and drafting stage provisionally titled SFVS. At first sight it appears to be less onerous than its predecessor but of course this may change. There is still the opportunity for all interested parties to offer feedback or comment by emailing financial.management@education.gsi.gov.uk.

Once the final version is known we will make it available in Bluewave.SWIFT within a very short timeframe as we did when the SEF changed last year. Those of you that already use Bluewave.SWIFT will know that your existing self-evaluation will be carried forward and is likely to form the majority of your evidence for the new Standard.

Those that don't yet use SWIFT should see this as another example of how we stay in touch with - and often ahead of - current legislation in order to make your school life easier. You can begin your self-evaluation and evidence gathering today due to the unique, future-proof nature of Bluewave.SWIFT and you will be well prepared for the official release scheduled for September this year. The proposal at this stage is for schools to complete the Standard annually with some having a deadline of April 2012.