New academy - New SIMS Database?

[Heliosedu]

Hi,

 

We have a special school who are converting to a new-style academy, and as it's technically a new school there is some confusion whether they can keep their existing SIMS database, patching the DFE number change in (and delete anything no longer required), or if a new database has to be set up and the students moved over.

 

The school's preference is to keep as much data as possible, but the last thing we want is to keep the data only to find out at census time that a new database is required.

 

Have any of you experienced this situation?

 

Thanks

[tmcd35]

From what I remember from when we converted a lot depends on whether or not you actually get a new DFE number or not. We retained our old DFE number on conversion so we're technically still the same school so our existing database just rolled over. I vaguely remember some suggestions that had our DFE number changed we would have had to repurchase SIMS from Capita (ouch!). If your DFE number changes then, AFAIK, the data belongs to the LEA (assuming your currently an LA maintained school). The rights to the data should be included in transfer documents (along with things like the actual buildings, staff, etc) when you convert from maintained to academy. Edited April 8, 2015 by tmcd35

[BKGarry]

I don't think you need a whole new database, but a little tip that could save you a lot of money if you have to change licenses is if you was ever a Grant Maintained school, you would have owned your SIMS license and then transferred it to the LEA if it was asked afterwards. If you did this then you only have to pay the "administrational" transfer fee for it to go back to Capita and start paying capita (or another support unit) for the support and licensing :-)

[PhilNeal]

We have made adjustments to the census return to ensure that should a new academy decide to retain the previous school's data, the DfE census reflects the new school.

[Heliosedu]

Hi,

 

Some clarification from my original post as I realised I used some incorrect terminology - This isn't an actual converting academy, but a school who are simply becoming a different school.

 

Does this have any effect on the (much appreciated) responses above?

[PhilNeal]

I am not sure on this. Clearly you are entitled to info that is in the CTF but if it really is a new school without connection to the old one that's beyond my experience.