Ministers believe the scheme could help heads benchmark their schools with others across the country and contribute to government decision-making much quicker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nick Finnemore, an educational technology consultant, believes the move could also improve the \u201coutdated\u201d way \u201cstatutory returns are currently handled\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn a modern data environment, the government should be able to access the statutory data it needs, when it needs it, rather than relying on periodic, manual submissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c[The pilot\u2019s] success will depend entirely on getting all MIS suppliers on board.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tender documents show the DfE is planning the pilots will explore how it \u201ccan harness the potential of data to provide new and valuable insights\u201d for schools, trusts and councils. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Working with \u201cmultiple MIS suppliers\u201d, officials \u201caim to test the value of increasing data flows\u201d from the systems to \u201cimprove the breadth and timeliness of information available\u201d. Each trial will run for up to 12 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The department believes that having \u201caccess to near real-time\u201d figures would enable \u201cpolicy decisions to be informed more regularly and more effectively by data\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Less time on census returns’<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Schools will be able to use the information to \u201cbenchmark themselves against other similar establishments nationally\u201d. They could also \u201cfeed into department policies much quicker, which will \u2026 directly support improved outcomes for pupils\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the data MIS providers collect are figures for attendance, payroll, admissions, behaviour and assessments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Duncan Baldwin, an education consultant, added that the scheme \u2013 if it is rolled out \u2013 would \u201crequire less time spent in schools on census returns and lead to benchmarking data\u201d provided earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut whenever MIS providers have to deliver new services there is always the question of who pays. The costs must not be passed on to schools in the form of increased annual charges.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The government is calling for MIS firms that can provide access to data for either a small group of local authority schools and\/or an MAT of more than 20 academies to step forward. The pilots are expected to begin in 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/schoolsweek.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Duncan-Baldwin-exp-140px.jpg\")