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Scomis - Your ICT Partner. Password: Our News Update.
Scomis Easter 2019 Newsletter
 
scomis.org Scomis online
Scomis on Twitter
 
 
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Welcome to the Easter edition of Password!
 
We are delighted to announce that the following schools have joined Scomis since the last issue. We would like to extend a very warm welcome to all staff at the following schools:

Bishop Sutton Primary School (Bath and North East Somerset)
Stanton Drew Primary School (Bath and North East Somerset)
English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, (Reading)
Castle Primary School (Bath and North East Somerset)
Cameley CofE VC Primary School (Bath and North East Somerset)
Pensford Primary School (Bath and North East Somerset)
Chew Magna Primary School (Bath and North East Somerset)

 
 
 
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Following an invitation to take part in the 2019/20 Parliamentary Review as an exemplar of best practice in the Education Service industry, Debbie Foweraker (Head of Scomis Group) was proud to represent Scomis and our customers at a recent reception to launch this year's Review in Westminster. 

Every year The Parliamentary Review's March launch brings together the most creative and inspiring voices across business, industry, education and the public sector to share insight, encourage best practice and help organisations confront the challenges of an ever-changing political landscape. Co-chaired by Lord Blunkett and Lord Pickles, The Review features commentary from senior politicians including the prime minister.
 
We are delighted that our passion for delivering customer service excellence has been recognised on this national platform as summarised below by Thomas Wilson, Political Editor, The Parliamentary Review:
 
"Scomis occupies a unique position in the mixed economy. Although performing a public function by providing ICT services to the education and local government sectors, they also operate under the governance of Devon County Council.  In doing this, they have distinguished themselves and their model through commercial excellence and innovation.  The most important reason for their success, is that they put the customer at the heart of everything they do and are passionate about delivering customers service excellence and continual service improvement."
 
The full article about Scomis can be found here:


 
 
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On 14th March our showcase event for education, Scomis Live'19 took place at Exeter Racecourse.  More than 320 delegates attended the event from across the country and a huge amount of positive feedback was received – too many comments to list but here are a few that sum up the day:

"Awesome event - So well organised and informative.  A triumph. Proud to be a Scomis Partner. Congratulations to all involved."

"I have been really impressed by the whole day. Excellent range of events, good range of exhibitors, useful talks particularly Google, Microsoft, FabLab, Rondavels, and Daniel Sobel."

"All very helpful and aspirational. Speeches were very motivational and thought provoking."

"Rondavel guest speakers were fantastic - presenters highlighted areas within SIMS that we do not currently access, I will be discussing with my headteacher and SLT."

"Many thanks for inviting us here today, we will go home inspired by what we have heard and seen."
 
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the event to make it so successful and particularly all of you who took part. 
 
If you missed out and would like to see some of the highlights, please go to our Scomis Live website  – http://www.live.scomis.org/sessions - here you will find more information about the extremely popular Rondavels – sessions lead by senior schools leaders that demonstrate how they are addressing their challenges using technology they already have – including case studies and links to FAQs to help you implement some quick fixes that will help you make more effective use of your ICT.  If you are considering adopting cloud based technologies we have prepared a fact sheet to help you evaluate the route you might take.
 
If you would like to explore how we might help you address your challenges, please get in touch and arrange a FREE meeting with your Scomis Account Manager – email scomis@devon.gov.uk or call us on 01392 385300.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our Hosted Application Service removes the burden of managing SIMS onsite with school-based servers, so you don't need to worry about SIMS upgrades, patches, backups or keeping associated software up to date. We take care of that for you remotely with no disruption to your school day. 
 
The major technology refresh that Scomis has undertaken across the Hosted platform is now well under way with approximately 30% of users accessing their data via the updated platform. To find out how to access the updated platform please click 
Here 


 
 
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Microsoft Windows 7 End of Life
 
From January 2020, Microsoft will no longer offer technical and security support for Windows 7. If you have devices in your school that are currently running Windows 7, Scomis are able to provide advice on licensing requirements and provide technical services in assisting you with upgrading your devices to Windows 10 or a current supported platform
 
For more information please contact your Scomis account manager.


 
 
 
The SIMS Spring Upgrade 2019 will be installed on our Hosted Application Platform schools and released via SOLUS for those schools who upgrade their own data. The upgrade brings a number of enhancements to the way in which SIMS functions, including fixes and developments.

  • GDPR and Bulk Delete Routines. Capita have continued their work on GDPR related routines, allowing the bulk deletion of pupils, deletion of any unlinked person and the ability to delete a member of staff who has been added but never used.

  • Behaviour Management. There are some enhancements to the Behaviour Management screens, specifically related to the recording of bullying

  • Reporting. There are some enhancements to standard reports on attendance and parental contacts.

  • CTF contact matching has been developed to add the telephone and email fields when matching users.
 
For more information, please see our bulletin on https://www.scomis.org/spring-2019-sims-and-fms-upgrade/ where there are also some videos which show functionality.
 
Further work to help schools with maintaining accurate data is planned for the Sims Summer Upgrade when a new contact tidying routine is planned to help schools identify and merge duplicate contacts.

Update: The upgrade was originally planned for Friday 5th April but we've made the decision to postpone while Capita investigates sending student data via Common Transfer File (CTF). Please refer to our bulletin (linked above) for more information.
 
 
 
If you are starting to work on your 2019/2020 timetable don't forget to re-visit Tools / Update Levels to make sure it's as accurate as possible.  This will ensure that Course Manager in Sims has the correct courses.
 
Can't find the level you are looking for?  You can update the levels in Nova T6 by refreshing the data – our faq will guide you through the process.

 
 
Applicable for maintained schools only.

Expenditure E28 has been split as follows:
  • E28a : Bought-in professional services – other (except PFI)
  • E28b : Bought-in professional services – other (PFI).

Watch the video here to find more, including how to review and amend your CFR mappings.
 
 
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The SIMS Summer Upgrade (due early to mid July) will bring in more enhancements to PI Reporting, Improvements in the Grade Analysis Report to show data for all seasons as well as improvements to the new Entry report in SIMS. 
 
Exams Results Analysis workshops have been scheduled for the Summer Term, please book early to ensure your place!  This training day will make sure you are equipped and fully prepared for the Exams Download and Results days in August.  We are also offering an Examinations for New Users Course in the Autumn term for those schools who have new exams officers. 

 
 
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Do you have staff who are new to SIMS?
 
Is your staff's knowledge up to date?
 
Are you making the best use of the functions in SIMS that you are paying for?
 
Did you know that Scomis offers training in a range of formats:
  • Scolearn Classroom Training Courses
  • Scolearn Onsite Bespoke Training
  • Scolearn Remote Learning
  • Scolearn WebTrain and Webinars 
  • Consultancy
And watch out for our new Scolearn online digital learning platform coming soon. For more information on all of our training services please visit here, and for our consultancy services please visit here.

 
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Scolearn's first online dIgital training course will be available half price for £49 (usually £99) from 23rd April to the end of September. Please contact us to find out more.

 
 
 
SIMS Assessment provides flexibility with assessment and reporting in a way that supports your school and the way you work.
With SIMS you can be sure that each pupil's progress is tracked and recorded, helping to raise attainment right across your school. Teachers can record and monitor the progress of pupils throughout their learning journey.

Register for our free webinars after Easter:

Wednesday 1st May 11am

Wednesday 1st May 2pm

Alternatively, contact us on 01392 385300 or email scomis@devon.gov.uk and speak to you account manager for more information.
 
 
 


Hoorah! Spring is here!
Time for a spring clean of your SIMS data?
When did you last carry out any 'housekeeping' in SIMS?
Need some help?
A Scomis Audit is what you need!
More information can be found here
 
 
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Raise the profile of Attendance with electronic registration!

Still using paper registration?
  • Are you able to monitor attendance daily, effectively and efficiently?
  • Are you able to identify longer-term trends in absence?
  • Are you able to identify persistent lateness?
The benefits of electronic registration
  • Reduces workload for teachers
  • Frees up valuable administrator and administration time
  • Provides instant data analysis for Senior Leaders, Teachers, Education Welfare Officers
  • Identify attendance patterns, absence trends, persistent lateness
  • Instant reporting allows teachers to react quickly and make timely intervention to reduce poor attendance and truancy
 
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 secure access to SIMS data anywhere, anytime and from any device. Updating the school's Capita SIMS database when changes are made. 


Small School?

Provide your teachers with access to pupil information at their fingertips when they need it! The Scomis Desktop does not require any costly network infrastructure investment or the purchase of high specification devices.
 
Try before you buy!
 
Get in touch today to find out more and request your free demo or a six-week free trial.

 
 
 
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What does Google, Facebook, Apple, Twitter, Amazon and Microsoft know about you?

Learn how to create a positive digital footprint. 

New search engine for children launched.

Click here for our most recent online safety article


 

As mentioned in our previous newsletter, OFSTED has started its consultation of a new inspection framework. Important areas focused on are:

  • When an Ofsted Inspection could take place
  • Quality of Education
  • Behaviours and Attitudes
  • Personal Development
  • Leadership and Management
  • Reducing Workload

A summary of the framework so far can be found here

 
 
 
These are the events that Scomis will be attending this summer:

ISBL Conference Bristol
2nd May 2019
 
Primary Assessment in a Brave New World, Exeter
24th May 2019
 
ISBL Conference Watford
13th June 2019
 
ISBL Conference Northampton
11th July 2019

Summer User Groups 2019 

Cornwall 
Lanhydrock Golf Club 
26th June 2019

Devon 
St Cuthbert's Conference Centre, Buckfastleigh
27th June 2019

North Somerset 
Clevedon Hall
2nd July 2019

Oxford 
The Kassam Stadium 
3rd July 2019

Portsmouth 
The Marriott Hotel 
4th July 2019
 
 
 
 
Has anything changed in this year's Key Stage Statutory reporting? And how can I keep up to date with the latest information?

Thanks
Harry

Dear Harry,

You can subscribe to latest notifications for Key Stage and other topics below -
 

https://www.scomis.org/category/bulletin/
 
For latest changes please see below FAQs
 

https://faq.scomis.org/kb23657/ - Key Stage 2 Statutory Teacher Assessment Data Collection 2019 – Change for Academic Year 2018/19
 

https://faq.scomis.org/kb23651/ - Key Stage 1 Statutory Teacher Assessment Data Collection 2019 – Change for Academic Year 2018/19

Kind Regards,
Grace


 
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