Hi, is anyone else having trouble logging into the ofsted gateway thingy??

I have spent the day psyching myself up to start completing the SEF, so I got myself a drink, got the laptop out, all my papers detailing my OST etc and sat down, only to discover my password was (apparently) incorrect. I then reset my password and attempted to log in again...failed!! Reset my password again ensuring I had copied it down correctly and attempted to log in again.....still unable to get in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was in it last week and added a few simple bits to it so I know that I can gain access but it won't let me tonight.

I hate online forms!!!!!!!!!

Can feel a bottle of wine and a family bag of M&S crisps coming on! :laughing:

Lots of people are having problems...

My advice is to complete it in Word first, so you can spellcheck, then upload when the Ofsted system is working.

This will also mean you have a copy if Ofsted crashes :D

Thanks Sarah, thought I was going mad! :laughing:

Will do it in Word for def and then transfer it over once their system is working.

I spent last night reading your 'Guide' and thought "right, I am ready to give it a whirl.." Your guide has really made me feel a lot better about the SEF - thank you :magnificent: . When I looked at the form online I thought OMG and just glanced at each section.

Oh well, will start it tomorrow now... :D

i have had the same prolem with the gateway part telling me it doesnt reconize my user id or password .spent 40 minutes on the phone to an ofsted it technician for him to tell me he hasnt got a clue and will phone me back in about a week. He said he hadnt heard of anyone else having this problem only problems with the Ofsted Token .Give them a ring at least then they know its obviously a problem with their system. I have applied for a paper version for now. Good luck

Hi Mimo, I will give them a ring tomorrow....hope I am not on for 40 minutes though...

I think Ofsted have really done a naff job of this SEF online, I too have had a nightmare but its just really confusing and not explained:
When you go in and detail your name, email addy, password etc you then get a 'gateway' code, this can be copied but if I were you I would jot it down too - basically thats all you can do until Ofsted send you a security token in the post, something that is not mentioned either! Well I got my token today so thought, great I shall go on and get cracking only to stumble when it came to logging in again - I could not remember what user name I had chose :panic: however the user name is the flippin 'gateway code' - they could call it the same thing ey! So I put the gateway code and my password in and hey presto, get to the next bit only to click on the right hand side bit that says SEF enrol or something? Well then I was told I didn’t have access but I then realised that if I had looked on the left side of the page there is all the bits for me to get started on the SEF - its really here there and everywhere so if anyone is lost give me a shout, think I can talk / email you through it, providing you ave received your code from Ofsted ;)

However, I now am totally baffled by the SEF, I mean its gonna take about 2 hours to complete it, as if we aint got enough to get on with :angry: :angry: :angry:

I got a call back from the ofsted it guys this morning there is a new help line starting at the end of september as so many people are having problems the best he can offer me till then is to apply for a paper version as the system is in his words "dodgey".
I wonder if in october there will be a help line for the helpline????