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Copy linkEmpowering specialist education with Ed:gen at Outcomes First Group
Outcomes First Group (OFG) is a leading provider of specialist education in the UK, serving over 5000 pupils. With 75 schools across its network and 10 more set to open soon, the group supports neurodivergent children and young people with a range of complex needs. To enhance operational efficiency, OFG has implemented IRIS Ed:gen as their management information system (MIS) in 69 schools, replacing legacy systems and offering schools an advanced, user-friendly solution.
Highlights
- A smooth, fast-paced rollout tailored to the specific needs of each school
- The central dashboard and group reporting features enable quick, data-driven decision-making across the Group
- The email wizard and communication log streamline secure, organised correspondence while reducing the risk of data breaches
The essential tool powering OFG’s efficient education network
Laura Andrews, Head of Applications at Outcomes First Group (OFG), highlights the key reasons the organisation selected IRIS Ed:gen over other providers. She tells us, “Ed:gen as a cloud-based solution stood out to OFG as it eliminated the need for physical server installations, upgrades, and ongoing maintenance, providing scalability and reliability. A dedicated installation team ensured a smooth and fast-paced rollout, allowing us to implement the system across our schools in an efficient manner.”
Additionally, IRIS Ed:gen’s central dashboard and group reporting features provide real-time data insights, which helps the organisation’s leadership team make informed decisions efficiently. The system’s integration through APIs further enhanced its value by enabling flexibility and compatibility with other software applications.
A tailored approach for every school
Chelsea Reay, Applications Manager at Outcomes First Group (OFG), explains that the implementation process for IRIS Ed:gen varies depending on the individual schools and how they are integrated into the group. In the summer of 2023, OFG opened six new schools and were brought onto the system together.
While OFG aims to implement Ed:gen in one school at a time, configuration is often done in bulk. Chelsea tells us, “We have created extensive training materials to help our schools independently navigate the system and encourage them to connect with others in the group who have already gone through the process. This peer support network is invaluable to a successful onboarding process.”
Laura tells us, “We have worked in collaboration with the Ed:gen installation team to automate this process as much as possible, which has really improved the speed in which we can onboard our new schools.”
Navigating the transition and switching from other systems
As part of their diverse group, OFG deals with a mix of schools – some are entirely new and have no existing MIS, while others are transitioning from legacy systems. Chelsea notes that staff are usually familiar with other MIS systems, which makes the switch to IRIS Ed:gen easier. Schools that are concerned about the change often find reassurance in the support network created by the ‘super-user schools’ – schools that have already fully adopted the system. These schools serve as a resource for those in the early stages of implementation, providing guidance and support when needed.
“The schools within our Group have built a great community. We make them aware of our ‘super-user’ schools, and that’s a great option for them if they want to speak to another school who have been through it. Introducing a new MIS can be daunting, and schools often worry about it before the process begins. However, once they start using it, they quickly realise it’s easier than they thought it would be!”
The applications manager shares her positive experience using IRIS Ed:gen and emphasises how the system’s modular approach makes it easy for users to gain confidence. “I think it’s a great system. Once you understand one module, you’ll quickly grasp all the others. The more you use it, the more confident you become. I use it every day, so now I can really utilise it and see the benefits. You truly get out what you put in with Ed:gen, and I’ve seen that in the varying levels of usage across our schools. Those who fully engage with it, input their timetables, and encourage staff to use it, benefit the most.”
Valuable insights for data-driven decision-making with IRIS Central
In addition to IRIS Ed:gen, some schools in Outcomes First Group, as well at the senior management team at group level, also use IRIS Central to analyse attendance. Chelsea notes that IRIS Central is particularly beneficial for schools when it comes to helping them make sense of their data. She tells us, “We have some schools that find Central incredibly useful, as they are really keen to make sense of their data. For them, it’s an excellent and invaluable system.” For these schools, the MIS reporting system offers detailed insights that help drive better decision-making and improved operational control.
‘Super-user’ school’s favourite features
Emma Tucker Gould, Office Manager at Mountfield Heath School, shares the positive aspects of using Ed:gen as one of the OFG’s ‘super-user’ schools. She tells us, “One standout feature is the email wizard and communication log, which ensures all correspondence is stored securely. It’s incredibly beneficial as a communication tool, ensuring that all communication is stored and allowing you to generate a chronology. It also significantly reduces the risk of data breaches.
“Another major benefit is the custom report feature, especially useful for tracking student medical information. The possibility of adding custom fields to reports is a key advantage, enabling our schools to capture specific data relevant to their needs. Additionally, the Out of School function on the register, which is reflected on the fire registers, is seen as a valuable safety feature.”
“It’s also worth mentioning Exclusions Manager module and its associated report, which have proved useful in managing student behaviour and ensuring compliance.”
“Another favourite feature is the Parent Portal, especially since the latest update, which now includes the addition of electronic forms. Both the Reports Manager and Timetable Manager modules are also highly valuable.”
All information in one place
“The biggest benefit is having all up-to-date information for all pupils in one place, which limits the need for multiple spreadsheets to be kept and updated. Ed:gen creates the spreadsheets you need, rather than the other way around,” says Emma. Her advice for schools beginning to use Ed:gen is to prioritise getting the basics right. “Ensuring that student details and contact information are entered correctly will save time later when using the email wizard, letter merges, and the Parent Portal."
