Our survey of school leaders and school business managers revealed much about the current demands on schools and the requirements from MIS software. The headline from this survey is that there is a demand for change and evolution in what MIS software can do for schools. The details reveal long-held demands and limitations that need to be addressed for the schools of the future
Challenges in Education
TIME AND MONEY
One-in five (21%) respondents noted that lack of time for other staff members to complete tasks impacted their ability to their jobs; school leaders’ and business managers’ use of data is only as effective as the source. If teachers and other colleagues lack the time to input and manage data, there is a flaw in the process.
Funding was another universal theme identified among the most significant challenges faced by schools. Funding (29%) was listed as a major difficulty facing schools. The DfE’s call for purchasing MIS software that provides value for money, rather than being the cheapest, is likely to be prohibited by the state of school budgets. Indeed, 87% of respondents agreed (31%) or strongly agreed (56%) that they were expected to do more with less funding and fewer resources. When asked about the barriers to the introduction of new technology, funding was by far the most often cited, with 77% of respondents saying this was the first and second most limiting factor.
WORKLOAD
The burden of a heavy workload in education is an ongoing problem. When asked what issue contributed to increasing workload school data analysis was by far the most prominent response, with 43% of respondents noting this as the most significant issue they faced; no fewer than 89% placed it within their top three issues. Connecting this school issue to best practice in business suggests that some sort of data analysis automation would significantly benefit school leaders and business managers.
Reporting and moving information (63%) and the demands of data protection and GDPR (71%) also featured highly in the top three issues contributing to workload. While the security of MIS software is a given, these results also suggest the need for centralised reporting; the bringing together of applications for data management and reporting would significantly reduce workload in schools.
ATTITUDES TO INNOVATION
Interestingly, 76% of respondents were satisfied (62%) or very satisfied (14%) with the updating and modernising of operations and administration within their schools or MATs. It appears that, while school business managers and leaders feel limited by the software and procedures they are working with, there is a willingness, and structures in place, to evolve to new technological solutions. This finding suggests that MIS software providers can be ambitious in developing products within the limitations of the budgeting issues identified.
More good news is that schools do have the technological infrastructure to deal with future advancements in MIS software; 75% of respondents reported having cloud-based IT in place, 84% had invested in high-speed internet and wi-fi, and 92% of schools already have a management information system – with two-thirds currently opting for SIMs from Capita.
GAPS IN PROVISION
The survey also identified gaps in school technological capabilities. For instance, 44% of respondents did not have apps for teachers to capture work and assessment, only 26% of respondents have an online payments platform, and just 39% had the capacity for parents to view student data. A future-fit MIS would need these capabilities – probably as modules or APIs – so that all data can be integrated into one repository.
LIMITING RESPONSE TO STUDENT WELFARE
This has always been the significant function of MIS software in schools, and it was concerning to see that 42% of respondents stated that their current system lacked effectiveness in pastoral matters such as attendance and behaviour – although only 11% went so far as to say that their system was actually ‘ineffective’.
What schools demand from their MIS software for the future
CLOUD TECHNOLOGY
There is a correlation between the high demand for cloud technology and the concerns over time required by others to complete the work needed for successful data management. If school business managers and leaders are to use data to its full potential, other colleagues need the flexibility to upload and manage data where and when they do administrative work.
IMPLEMENTATION
The challenge for MIS developers is to overcome problems of compatibility with existing systems; 45% of respondents saw this as one of the top two barriers to introducing new technology into their school, alongside funding issues. Add in the 26% of respondents who felt insufficient time for training staff in the use of new technology and the problem of creating a product which offers value for money and a more comprehensive support package – including software integration – is evident.
To conclude, the survey reconfirmed that schools are complex organisations and need secure access to information when necessary to help with all activities, from writing reports to tracking attendance, and more, all from a single platform. School business managers and leaders have a strong enough vision to appreciate that the school system is fragmented, and they are clear in their demands for greater compatibility, streamline process and improve collaboration.
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