How Pate’s Grammar School reduced their admin and saved 20 hours a week with SIMS Next Gen

About Pate’s Grammar School

Pate’s Grammar School, located in Cheltenham, is a high achieving, selective state grammar school with a rich history of excellence. Regularly ranked among the top ten schools in the country, Pate’s Grammar School prides itself on delivering a modern and forward-thinking education. With over 1,200 students on roll, the school is dedicated to ensuring that teachers are supported by the right tools to manage admin efficiently and focus on supporting student success.

Assistant Headteacher Geoff Worth, who has been with Pate’s Grammar School for over 15 years, leads the school’s digital strategy. His extensive experience in teaching and IT systems uniquely positions him to oversee the school’s transition to cloud-based solutions like SIMS Next Gen. 

A collaborative approach to digital transformation 

Geoff has played a key role in shaping the adoption of SIMS Next Gen, by taking part in almost every early adoption phase for the new SIMS Next Gen modules. His active engagement in the discovery process, from providing real-world feedback to testing prototypes, has helped refine the product to meet the needs of schools like Pate’s.

The decision to implement SIMS Next Gen was driven by the growing need for a flexible, cloud-based solution that would enable seamless remote access for staff.  

After evaluating alternatives and considering the time, cost, and training required to switch, the school decided to remain with SIMS and adopt its new cloud-based solution, Next Gen. 

Geoff explained, “SIMS Next Gen offered the opportunity to bring our systems in line with other cloud-based tools, ensuring staff could work efficiently from anywhere.”

Geoff and his colleagues use SIMS Next Gen functionality, including Class View, My Markbook, Seating Plans, and Attendance Reporting. They give staff the tools to manage classroom activities, streamline reporting, and ensure seamless access to student information both on-site and remotely.  

As Geoff put it, “I’ve been fortunate to see the product evolve, and it’s exciting to witness how these tools are transforming the way we work.” 

Empowering remote working and simplifying reporting 

The move to SIMS Next Gen’s cloud-based platform means staff can access key information and complete tasks remotely. According to Geoff, “the ability to fill in graders remotely, including comments, has made such a difference”. My Markbook has streamlined reporting processes, particularly during busy times like end-of-year assessments.  

Geoff shared, “Staff can work live from home, see all the relevant data, and complete their tasks far more efficiently than before.”

This newfound flexibility has saved hours of admin time, with Geoff highlighting its impact during the last exam season: “Before, staff would write data on spreadsheets and copy it over. Now, they can manage everything centrally, in real time.” 

Enhancing classroom management with Seating Plans 

Seating plans is one of the standout features for Geoff and his colleagues. He described it as “an absolute game changer,” allowing teachers to visualise class layouts and adjust seating arrangements easily. The feature has also proven invaluable for cover lessons:  

“When I covered a Year 9 geography class, I could pull up the seating plan instantly. The students saw their usual setup, which made the transition seamless - even though I didn’t know the group at all.” 

Seating Plans enables staff to quickly identify learning needs, support collaboration, and create a more inclusive environment for students. For schools managing multiple classrooms or staff working across different spaces, this feature is particularly powerful.  

Geoff noted, “It encourages staff to think strategically about seating arrangements, which ultimately improves teaching and learning outcomes.” 

Centralising student information for better decisions 

Having a complete view of student information through Pupil Record and Class View has made managing student data far more efficient. Geoff explained, “The ability to look up a student’s phone number or full profile when offsite is incredibly useful.”  

The centralisation of data has helped Pate’s staff work smarter and faster, improving their ability to respond to student needs. 

Reducing administrative friction 

SIMS Next Gen’s single sign-on integration with Microsoft has simplified the onboarding process for staff. Geoff praised its ease of use: “It’s a massive improvement. No more password resets or unnecessary extra work - staff can just get started.”

In addition, the system’s reliability and resilience have been key to maintaining staff confidence. “Teachers want tools that work consistently,” said Geoff. “Even small glitches can make staff hesitant, but when the system runs smoothly, it’s a big win for everyone.”

Looking ahead, Geoff sees exciting potential for SIMS Next Gen to further enhance productivity.  

Conclusion 

Pate’s Grammar School’s journey with SIMS Next Gen has demonstrated how the right tools can transform administration, reduce workload, and free up teachers to focus on teaching. Geoff summarised their experience: “The Seating Plans, remote access, and reporting tools have saved us hours, and staff are starting to see the impact on their day-to-day work.”

“The flexibility and efficiency that SIMS Next Gen has brought to our school have been transformational. From streamlining admin tasks to enabling remote working, it’s saving us time and helping staff focus on what truly matters - teaching and supporting our students.”

For Pate’s, SIMS Next Gen is not just a software solution - it’s a platform that empowers staff to work smarter, while maintaining the school’s outstanding standards.  

Find out more about SIMS Next Gen  

SIMS Next Gen provides cloud-based solutions designed to simplify administration, reduce workload, and enhance productivity, all while supporting the specific needs of your school. Explore how SIMS Next Gen can help streamline your processes and make everyday tasks easier.