Sims Data Retention

[ozmusafir]

We have been having a serious performance issue on the client side when it comes to operating sims. I have suggested removing old data, as the SQL database is huge. We have students from the 90s still present within sims. I was wondering what are the data retention policy schools follow?

[djrscally]

Mostly some variation of that suggested in page 37 of this document: https://irms.site-ym.com/resource/collection/8BCEF755-0353-4F66-9877-CCDA4BFEEAC4/2016_IRMS_Toolkit_for_Schools_v5_Master.pdf

 

tl;dr retain student records till the pupil is 25 (Anyone born prior to September 92)

[bobsmith]

I don't think SIMS will have the capability to fully remove records till this summer's release.

 

But year - 25th birthday is the guidance.

 

Be careful though - there are some students who may need to be retained much longer - looked after - SEN etc.

[Gongalong]

Guidance from our CC is 22 years from DOB for special educational need (SEN) files, same as a pupil record. 25 years from DOB for students with child protection file.

[enjay]

If you can hold off until the Summer or Autumn release of SIMS, you'll get a new feature which allows you to selectively delete student data, so you could remove all their attendance data but leave assessment behind, of whatever you choose to do. Data on SEN students needs keeping for a lot longer (80 years is it?!)

 

The IRMS toolkit which @djrscally links is a good starting point for retention periods, although I note the recent DfE document questions some of those periods.

[Gongalong]

Our county legal team have said SEN data retention is the same as a normal pupil. It's slightly longer for children with child protection file.