Scomis provides ICT Support and Hosting Services to your school. |
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Scomis Spring 2018 Newsletter
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Issue 88
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We hope you all enjoyed the snow and everything is back to normal in your schools now. Scomis remained open for the snow days and as you can see below some of our staff were very committed to keeping services running. |
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| Artie, one of our service desk analysts, outside our HQ at Great Moor House in Exeter. | | | | | |
The Scomis Desktop
The Scomis Desktop has arrived!
Do you want to be able to provide your teachers with the features and tools they actually need to complete teacher-focused administrative functions?
What is The Scomis Desktop? |
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In partnership with data and communication specialist, Groupcall, Scomis is delighted to introduce schools to 'The Scomis Desktop'.
Powered by Groupcall, The Scomis Desktop provides all the administrative functions classroom teachers need on a day-to-day basis. Full integration with school's Capita SIMS database provides teachers with access to SIMS data, with write back to the school's Capita SIMS when changes are made.
The Scomis Desktop and GDPR- No need to produce those paper lists which include personal and confidential information
- No need to worry about whether the leaders of a school trip or excursion have the most up to date information
- Removes the risk of a Data Breach through loss of a file or folder containing personal and confidential information
- Provides easy, safe and secure access to student information
Interested?
Want to find out more?
Visit: Scomis Website
Call the Scomis Service Desk: 01392 385300
Email: Scomis@Devon.gov.uk |
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GDPR'GDPR - LESS THAN 3 MONTHS TO GO!
Lots of our customers have attended our joint training with Groupcall and we know that many schools have set up working groups to prepare for 25th May.
Our message continues to be 'don't panic:prepare' and the conversations at our training show the creativity that schools are using to change some of their approaches to the use of data while making sure that their pupil's interests are secured .Click here to find out how Scomis can help |
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Scomis User Groups Summer 2018Summer term User Group Invitations have been sent out and the dates are as follows- North Somerset – Clevedon Hall – 1st May 2018
- Portsmouth – The Marriott – 2nd May 2018
- Oxfordshire – The Kassam Stadium – 3rd May 2018
- Devon – St Cuthberts Conference centre, Buckfastleigh – 9th May 2018
- Cornwall – The Royal Showground – 10th May 2018
- Virtual User Group Webinar - 15th May 2018
GDPR
We will update you with the latest information from the DfE and keep you informed of how Capita are developing SIMS tools and utilities to answer some of the many questions on data handling and retention.
What Is effective Parental Engagement?
We look at the reasons why you might want to bring parents on board, with updates from the OFSTED Handbook and latest DFE research. We look at the many areas Parental Engagement might cover and preview some of the latest developments in Data sharing.
SIMS and Scomis Product and Service Updates including: SIMS Primary
Following our introduction of the next generation of SIMS at the last round of User Groups, we explore the road map for product development and look at new features coming on board.
The Scomis Desktop – NEW Features!!
Our intuitive teacher interface to SIMS is evolving. Teachers now have the ability to create and store seating plans. Schools who use SIMS Dinner Money can now complete their Dinner Registers through the Scomis Desktop.
NEW Hardware Procurement Service
Scomis is now able to offer Hardware Procurement as a service, making us the One-Stop-Shop for buying and installing your hardware.
Please note that the venue for Devon on 9th May 2018 is back at St Cuthbert's Conference Centre, Buckfastleigh.
How to Register?
Please click on the link below to register for the User Group that you would like to attend.User Group Registration FormPlease complete this form and email it to scomis@devon.gov.uk
We look forward to seeing you at one of the events. |
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ExamsWe are running Scomis Examination Officers Conference again this year on 15th November at Buckfast Abbey.
Please save the date and booking instructions will follow soon.
Click here to view the Scomis Examination Officers Spring Newsletter |
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Online Safety'Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to the effects of cyberbullying'
The Children's Society, children's mental health charity YoungMinds and Alex Chalk, MP for Cheltenham, have published the results of their enquiry into the impact of cyberbullying on children and young people's mental health.
More than 1,000 children and young people aged 11-25 took part in the survey.
Key findings include:- 61% of young people had their first social media account at the age of 12 or under (most specify that users must be 13 years old to have an account)
- 9% reported always using social media overnight between midnight and 6am
- 46% of girls stated social media had a negative impact on their self-esteem
- Children and young people who are currently experiencing a mental health problem are more likely to have been bullied on line in the last year.
- The average age of children getting a Smartphone is 10 years
Read the report in full:Are you addicted to technology?
Did you know that engineers and software designers use the colour red in notifications because the colour triggers an emotional response which will make us want to click or swipe?
Simple tips recommended by Tristan Harris, founder of the Centre for Humane Technology and senior fellow at Common Sense Media include:- Turn off all notifications, except those from people
- Limit what's on your home screen
- Take social media off your phone
- Charge your phone outside of your bedroom
Read more and take control of your phone: |
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Education Annual Customer Satisfaction SurveyWe are running our Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey from 12 – 23rd March. We would really appreciate it if you would complete the survey by answering some questions to provide us with your feedback.
It should only take about five minutes to answer the questions, and it gives us very important feedback about your satisfaction with our services.
Click here to take the survey |
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Academies ShowScomis will be exhibiting at the Academies show on the 25th April 2018. Please come and visit us at stand number 518! |
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Partner Update - Groupcall AnalyticsA powerful new data intelligence solution which allows MATs and Academies
to gain valuable insight from their data to inform more effective management decision-making and actively measure the effectiveness and support improved outcomes across the group of schools.
Groupcall Analytics helps schools and trusts focus on solving the most pressing issues that are facing them. Whether that is what you do with assessment post-levels, how you can save money without having to stop any of the activities you are doing, or how you can easily see the impact of your teaching on your pupils and what the areas for improvements could be.
Find out more here |
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Partner Update - Groupcall launches Free School PortalYou are quite likely to be one of the 18,000+ UK schools that already has Groupcall Xporter installed to help process the data that powers third-party applications you subscribe to – such as homework, library or parental engagement systems.
With the GDPR deadline now clearly visible on the horizon, you will doubtless be doing your due diligence and mapping what data is being moved where and under what basis.
Groupcall is set soon to launch school portal – a tool available completely free of charge to schools with Xporter installed that will allow you to better understand and manage the data flows in your school.
Learn more on the Groupcall blog |
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TrainingREMINDER!
Scomis delivers training for schools in the following formats:- Formal classroom style
- Webinars and Webtrain
- Bespoke delivery on-site
- Desk-top remote sessions
Details of how to access any of our training services and our programme of scheduled courses for 2018 can be found here.
In the light of feedback from our customers we are reviewing our training offer and will be seeking customer views over the next few months.
Or contact us at:
Tel: 01392 385300
Email: scomis@devon.gov.uk |
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I have heard that a SIMS upgrade will be happening soon.
How can I find out when this will be and what changes will be implemented?
From Rose
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Scomis, Great Moor House,
Bittern Road, Sowton,
Exeter, EX2 7NL |
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This message was sent to charlotte.lacey@devon.gov.uk by Scomis via NewZapp . Scomis is a not for profit organisation that provides ICT Support Services to over 720 schools plus other educational establishments in 19 Local Authorities. |
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