best management system for new 17 pupil independent school

[tennis]

We are a new independent school with 17 pupils and looking at Engage or ISAMS for our management system. What one is best for our school and cheapest as we dont need the full services and not looking to spend too much. thanks

[Ditto]

We are a new independent school with 17 pupils and looking at Engage or ISAMS for our management system. What one is best for our school and cheapest as we dont need the full services and not looking to spend too much. thanks

 

What age ranges will you be once fully established?

[DGardiner]

We are a new independent school with 17 pupils and looking at Engage or ISAMS for our management system. What one is best for our school and cheapest as we dont need the full services and not looking to spend too much. thanks

 

Cheapest? Excel

 

its all gonna cost money and at that size nothing is going to be comparatively cheap per head

[tennis]

We have pupils from age 8 to 16, but just can't decide whether to invest a lot in an MIS or keep using Excel - felt it would be much more efficient for assessments, reporting, admissions, attendance and communication with pupil, parents and staff in one place, esp for Ofsted and ISI who will be coming soon !

[tennis]

thanks for your reply. It's a balancing act really between investment and benefit, esp., as you say, with only 17 pupils. but with inspections looming too, it would be far easier and keep them happier to have everything to hand in one place. Biggest saving, I think, will be in time saved, with assessments, reports and registers

[elsiegee40]

With a school that size, you’re better off with Excel I would think. The cost versus the benefit of having any of the mainstream MIS just isn’t worthwhile. Particularly with the age range you have... you’ll need both primary and secondary capabilities.

 

Independents struggle with cash at the best of times. There’s only so much fee income you will get and you you have to pay VAT on everything which makes purchases very expensive.

 

I worked in a 200 pupil independent that coped with Excel for years.

 

Focus on getting the infrastructure set up properly for students to learn on the premises and remotely. As and when numbers start to rise then get a proper MIS.

[DGardiner]

thanks for your reply. It's a balancing act really between investment and benefit, esp., as you say, with only 17 pupils. but with inspections looming too, it would be far easier and keep them happier to have everything to hand in one place. Biggest saving, I think, will be in time saved, with assessments, reports and registers

 

Were primary only at our place so im not sure of any all through MIS's but yeah.

 

The cloud offerings arent all that bad price wise ive found its just how much mone yyou have to play around.

 

You will need to keep the mis data secure/backed up/stuctured/ etc so take this all into account when weighing up the cost of the MIS vs excel because one is managed for you the other puts alot of work/responsibility on you. should things go pear shaped.

[tennis]

Hi Elsiegee. thank you for your reply and I think you're right about using our own excel sheets. I was hoping you may be able to point me in the direction of a free Student attendance register for England as I've tried creating one for the whole school, class and through to individual reports, but only found american ones! thanks Gerry