Technology & Innovation - Issue 11

Wherever your ambitions go, we’re with you Backing you all the way with specialist financial advice for retirement and beyond. We can help you confidently navigate life after teaching, whether you’re looking to access your pension or simply make the most of your savings. Discover more at www.wesleyan.co.uk/teachco Financial Advice: Retirement Planning . Investing . Funding . Insurance ‘WESLEYAN’ is a trading name of the Wesleyan Group of companies. Advice is provided by Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd. Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd (Registered in England and Wales No. 1651212) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6AR. Telephone: 0345 351 2352. Calls may be recorded to help us provide, monitor and improve our services to you. 1 DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE Switching your MIS can be a simple, safe and secure process, but it’s important to leave yourself enough time. If you’re thinking of putting it off until later in the year, you could find yourself battling for migration slots alongside thousands of other schools, or locked into a contract renewal with a MIS that’s not fit for purpose. If your school or MAT is with a MIS provider that isn’t meeting your needs, don’t suffer in silence. It’s better to switch to a solution now that’s going to meet your long-term requirements and goals. 2 FOCUS ON OUTCOMES FIRST Think carefully about how your current MIS is falling short, and how you want your new system to improve outcomes. Doing this early gives you more freedom and flexibility when choosing your start date, as well as more control over your MIS rollout. If you have a MIS that can adapt to your unique needs and greatly simplify administrative tasks, the time saved can be put towards initiatives that lead to better educational outcomes. 3 EXPLORE PROVIDERS The first stage of the process is to decide on which solutions you want to explore and see in action, while identifying where your current MIS is falling short. This can usually take up to four weeks, and will involve talking to your colleagues – and maybe other schools – as you discover which features are required, before selecting the best MIS for your needs. 4 SET A REALISTIC TIMEFRAME Your current provider will require a 12-week notice period, allowing plenty of time to prepare and begin onboarding discussions with your new MIS team. You will need to outline the timeframes involved, any requirements on the part of staff and your plans for managing the attendant risks. This can take, on average, a minimum of 8 weeks for primary schools and up to 12 for secondaries. If you plan ahead, switching your MIS can be smooth and straightforward, says Ali Guryel At a glance • Switching a MIS is simple and safe • Engage with the right partner • Give yourself enough time Contact: bromcom.com/switch Tackling the MIS dilemma ASK THE EXPERT PA R T N E R C O N T E N T 38 teachwire.net