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Using TILDA to Refine your SEF

Stephen Gibson
Stephen Gibson
  • Updated

Once you’ve added your SEF content, either by uploading a document or entering information manually, TILDA can help you refine and improve each section to make it clear, concise, and aligned with your Framework.

This guide uses the 2025 Ofsted Framework. If you're using the CSI Framework, the steps in this guide remain the same, so you can continue with the process below. For more information on our CSI Framework, click here.

How to Refine a SEF Section

  1. Navigate to Self Evaluation > School.

  2. Click into the SEF section you want to refine.

  3. In the top right corner of the text box, click the TILDA: Refine button.

  4. In the Refine this SEF Section pop-up, choose what TILDA will use to guide its improvements:

    • Answers to Bite-Sized Questions (BSQs)
      Answering all BSQs could improve TILDA's suggestion. This option will only be available if BSQs have been completed for the current framework.
      Learn more about BSQs in this guide.

    • Existing SEF Content
      Uses your current section content to help refine and enhance what’s already written. This option requires text to already exist in the section.

If you see the message “Why can’t I use this?” next to either option, it means either:

  • No Bite-Sized Questions have been completed yet for this framework.

  • The section doesn’t currently contain any text to refine. Try adding or importing content first, then reopen the refine tool.

5. You can also provide additional context (optional) - for example:

  • Areas to emphasise or de-emphasise

  • Tone preferences (e.g. more formal or concise)

  • Points to improve or avoid

Note: When a user selects Refine in TILDA and includes BSQs, only their own BSQs are considered in the refinement.

Once ready, click Refine SEF Section.
 

Understanding the Refinement View

After TILDA completes its refinement, you’ll see a suggested version of your SEF section alongside supporting detail:

  • Suggested – The improved version generated by TILDA

  • Rationale – Explains why particular improvements were made (e.g. structure, clarity, evidence emphasis)

  • Original Text – Displays your previous version for comparison

  • Grade Guidance – Provides Ofsted-aligned guidance for that section

You can also choose to tick “Save a copy of my existing text in Notes before inserting” to ensure a record of the original content is retained before adding the new version.

When you’re happy, click Insert New Draft to update your SEF section.