What is a school MIS?
A school MIS is a suite of powerful tools that helps schools and trusts to manage daily school life. As well as meeting important statutory obligations like Census, it facilitates the management of attendance, behaviour, assessment, and staff data. By bringing together all this important information into one system, schools and trusts are empowered to identify trends, analyse data, and make informed decisions that improve the outcomes for pupils and school staff.
A more modern school MIS might be referred to as cloud-based. This means your staff can access the system anytime, anywhere, and have access to real-time data.
You may also see an MIS referred to as a management information system, school information management system (SIMS). or even a school management system.
The role of management information systems in schools
Staff in schools are incredibly busy, they need systems to help them manage day to day tasks more easily, freeing up their time to spend on the things that matter and improving pupil outcomes. Because a school MIS consolidates your data in one place, it is easier for you to connect the dots and understand why certain things are happening.
Teachers can benefit from a holistic view of pupils in their class as well as efficiencies from having information recorded in one system. School SLT and head teachers can monitor groups of children and make improvements across a school, based on what works and what doesn’t. Likewise, multi-academy trust (MAT) leaders can transfer learnings from one school in the group to another.
Whether you are a primary school, secondary school, special school or trust, a smart MIS will help you become smarter.
Choosing the right MIS for your school
Choosing a school MIS is a big decision for your school or trust, and it is important you choose one that is right for your school or trust and will adapt as you do.
DATA AND INSIGHT TO IMPROVE PUPIL OUTCOMES
An MIS should bring all your school data together into one place, so that you can spot patterns and make interventions when necessary. Data that allows you to make better decisions is powerful to schools and trusts and a key component in driving improved outcomes for pupil attainment, wellbeing, and safeguarding.
BETTER TOOLS FOR SCHOOL AND TRUST STAFF
School staff are incredibly busy and shouldn’t have to spend hours entering, managing, and analysing data. A good school MIS will streamline processes, centralise pupil and staff data into meaningful reports and free teachers, SLT, and admin staff to spend time on what really matters.
THE LATEST CLOUD TECH
A school MIS should be cloud-based so that real-time data can be accessed anytime, anywhere – enabling remote working and learning. Technology is always developing, and your MIS should use the latest tech to maximise efficiencies, give the best insight, and alleviate the pressure on school and trust staff.
QUICK AND EASY TO SWITCH YOUR MIS
If you are using an outdated school MIS, you may be thinking of changing to an alternative system. Ask your new provider how long implementation takes, what is involved in switching, how comprehensive training will be, and what support is available when switching MIS. Other key questions include: what data can be taken from your old system to your new one? Who is responsible for the migration? And what’s involved? Our time to switch guide helps guide you through the process.
Take a look at our school MIS products
Harness the power of real data, streamline school management, and use a whole host of game changing features that will empower your staff and help your students to excel.
“We are really excited to be moving over to Ed:gen. We’ve been so impressed by the powerful core functionality that will reduce staff workload and we’re excited to see the continued development of the product. We have a lot of confidence in the team at IRIS and we’re looking forward to working together more going forward.”
Wayne Oldfield, Chief Operating Officer
Voyage Education Partnership
Next generation school MIS resources
Like what you see? Want to know more about the benefits of switching to a next generation, cloud-based school MIS? Take a look at our library of resources. From FAQs and case studies, to a guide to successfully implementing a new management information system – we have everything you need to take the next step on your journey.
Implementing a new MIS: Your guide to getting it right
If you’re considering a new MIS for your school or trust, you’re not alone; it’s time to consider a smarter MIS.
Education
Changing your MIS – it may be easier than you think
Watch our webinar to learn more about IRIS Ed:gen and the switching process.
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