Secondary Healthcheck

Are you using SIMS to its full potential?

A SIMS Health Check has a common core of aspects but is also designed with the flexibility to meet your school’s distinct needs.  It will enable you to identify areas of existing good practice and spotlight areas for attention.

A ‘Health Check’ is a comprehensive process. It involves a visit from an experienced consultant who would meet individually with the major users of the system. This includes the System Manager, Network Manager, Assessment Co-ordinator, Timetabler, Cover Manager, Attendance Team, Data Entry Staff, Examinations Manager and the member of the Senior Leadership Team responsible for the school’s MIS. 

The key objectives of the process, undertaken by the consultant with users, are:

• to assess the present IT infrastructure. For example type of network, number of servers, number, location and type of workstations, remote access, teacher’s offline desktop, security and backup regime.

• to evaluate the extent to which the modules are being used. For example compare the modules within the areas you’re licensed for with those that you are using well, using and those you didn’t know that you could use!

• to look at information flow, data collection and reporting. For example how are absences dealt with, exclusions recorded, school trips monitored, communicating with parents, what information is shared with parents, do your procedures comply with the data protection requirement for accurate data, internal and external individual exam timetables issued

• to review module responsibility and management hierarchy For example are individual’s responsibilities clearly defined?  Who makes decisions on access?  Are appropriate ‘cover arrangements’ in place for key staff?  Who drives development?

• to consider how the MIS system can assist in raising standards For example to support the achievement of school development targets such as attendance, behaviour, tracking student attainment and setting targets, using data to inform teaching, learning and other aspects of a schools work such as SEN and the identification of the gifted and talented

After audits and discussions, the consultant will meet with the leadership team, report back on the health check findings and suggest ways in which SIMS use could be enhanced. This will include developing the use of existing modules and raising awareness of new products that could be of benefit to the school.

For further information please call the Professional Services Team on 01234 838080 or email profserv@capita.co.uk