Atlas Multi Academy Trust selects SIMS Connected as the best platform for a growing trust

27th June 2023 – Atlas Multi Academy Trust (MAT) has chosen cloud-based SIMS Connected, a management information system (MIS) from the ParentPay Group, to transform the way its schools use pupil data and manage their school improvement processes.

The Hertfordshire-based MAT selected SIMS Connected after briefly testing an alternative cloud-based MIS. SIMS Connected was chosen as the best MIS solution to give the Trust a clear and accurate picture of its 2,300 students across one primary and two secondary schools.  

Margaret Chapman, CEO, Atlas Multi-Academy Trust, said: “Choosing SIMS Connected was a really easy decision. We needed a cloud-based MIS that could be tailored to the complexity of a Trust like ours, which is exactly what SIMS Connected is.  The needs of a growing trust are met through the flexibility and dynamic approach offered by SIMS Connected.”

With SIMS Connected it’s simple to record and analyse information on pupils’ achievement, behaviour and attendance, and identify areas for improvement from any device. 

The strength of the reporting in the platform was also a key draw for the Trust, as SIMS Power BI Dashboards provide data analytics and visualisation tools that can create powerful interactive reports and dashboards. 

This function saves staff time in creating reports and ensures they have access to up-to-date information on virtually all reportable fields in SIMS: areas such as, attendance, contact time ratios or resource capacity data.

Lorin Clough, Sales Director, SIMS said: “It’s great to be working with Atlas. The switch to SIMS Connected will help simplify everyday tasks and help the Trust create positive changes for their schools by using innovative technology to help support staff and students.”

Margaret Chapman, CEO, Atlas Multi-Academy Trust, continued: “Take timetabling as an example. The SIMS Connected system just works and allows bespoke timetables to be easily created. The other MIS platforms we explored were not fit for purpose, whereas we trust SIMS Connected to play a vital role in our trust as we move forward.”

With SIMS Connected, staff have access to an online hub with all the information they need for the school or schools they are responsible for using a single log-in.  

Another benefit is the ability to seamlessly integrate third-party software. Synchronising the SIMS Timetable into Google Calendars means it’s simple to manage staff absences through Cover Management. It’s also easy to ensure staff are aware of any schedule changes throughout a busy school day. 

Atlas is looking forward to working in partnership with SIMS as it rolls out SIMS Next Gen, which will benefit from £40m of investment over the next few years to help MATs and school leaders fully unlock the power of the data they record on pupils.

For more information on SIMS Connected and SIMS Next Gen visit  www.ess-sims.co.uk 

ENDS

Notes to Editor: 

The schools within the Atlas Trust also use a suite of products from the ParentPay Group including, SchoolComms, a parent engagement app and ParentPay, an online school payment solution.