March was another busy month of SIMS Next Gen releases, with new functionality that saves time, supports safeguarding, and puts essential pupil and staff information at your fingertips.
From classroom and cover management to consent tracking and pastoral insights, these updates bring real benefits for teachers, office staff, and pastoral teams.
Read on to see what’s new for your role!
For All School Staff:
Pupil Timetables – now just one click away
Whether it’s a student at reception who’s lost their timetable, a Head of Year trying to pass on an urgent message, or a safeguarding lead checking where a student should be – you often need to locate students fast.
With SIMS Next Gen, you can view a student’s timetable instantly, with one click from:
· Pupil Profile
· Class View (via the mini-Pupil Profile)
· A quick link on the homepage
Pupil Timetables shows everything you need at a glance - subject, period, start and end time, teacher name, and room number – saving valuable time and avoiding disruption.
For Teachers:
Class View – new features added
View Pupil Pronouns
See pupils' pronouns when opening their profile from within Class View - supporting respectful and inclusive teaching.
Session Warning
Get an instant alert if you try to take a register outside the correct session time - improving accuracy, safeguarding, and compliance.
Customisable Indicators
Choose to display attendance percentages and/or conduct points on pupil cards and set your own date range - helping you spot trends in engagement and behaviour.
Print Class View
Export and print your Class View layout as a PDF:
· Share with cover teachers who don’t have access to the system
· Or print a version without indicators to help pupils quickly find their seats
View the SEND Log
See pinned SEND notes directly in Class View, giving you the key information you need to support individual pupils.
Class View in Welsh
Class View is now fully translated into Welsh, helping Welsh-speaking teachers use the system confidently in their preferred language.
Seating Plans – new features added
Room Layouts: Add Windows and Doors
Mark where windows and doors are on your room layout - giving you a more accurate view of the classroom and helping you plan seating more effectively.
Pupil Seating Plan Notes
Keep key information front and centre by pinning important notes to the top of a student’s Seating Plan notes list.
Tag another pupil in a note using @, making it clear who else is referenced. Ideal for tracking group dynamics, peer support arrangements, or potential behaviour concerns.
For Office Staff:
Staff Profile – new features added
We’ve expanded the Staff Profile to help you manage cover and subject allocations more efficiently.
In the Classroom Information section, you can now:
· View and edit coverable subjects
· Set staff cover options and tiers
For Teachers and Office Staff:
Home Life - now in the Pupil Profile
The new Home Life section provides valuable insight into a pupil’s life beyond the classroom, supporting safeguarding and pastoral care.
View details including:
· Linked pupils (shared parents or home address)
· Transport information
· Post-16 employment
· Safeguarding indicators:
o Child in Need
o Child Protection Plan
o Young Carer
This information helps staff understand a pupil’s circumstances and tailor support appropriately. Transport and post-16 details can be updated via the Admin Console.
Consents now in the Pupil Profile
Building on what’s available in SIMS 7, the new Consents page adds valuable detail and flexibility, including:
· New status options: Pending and No to track consent requests more effectively
· Additional comments to capture context
· Response provided by so it’s clear who gave permission
· Date of response for a complete audit trail
· Youth Support Services Agreement
· A new fixed consent for opting out of processing by AI tools
Create, edit, delete, activate, or deactivate can be managed in the Admin Console.