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6,073 ExcellentAbout simpsonj

Personal Information
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Biography
Worked in a school environment since 2005 and still feel like I'm 5 years behind the times!
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Occupation
Network Manager
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Interests
Gaming, music, gaming, movies, gaming and sleeping
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Location
Oxford
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Would definitely seem like a Driver or Firmware issue to me. At a guess, likely the processor given you've changed everything else. Worth downloading all the latest drivers from the Dell website, then booting into Safe Mode and updating them all. Or, ideally, upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11!
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Acer Trust, an Oxfordshire multi-academy trust, is looking for an enthusiastic and proactive IT Technician to join our West Hub IT Team, based primarily at Matthew Arnold School, with occasional travel to other schools within the West Hub to offer on-site support. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a collaborative team, supporting the delivery of a reliable, secure and user-focused IT service for our schools. You will play a key role in maintaining IT systems and infrastructure and ensuring that technology supports our staff and enables the best outcomes for students. This role would suit someone with strong problem-solving skills, a customer-focused approach, and a good understanding of IT systems and networks. You’ll have the chance to work hands-on with a range of technologies—providing frontline support, maintaining equipment, and helping to ensure the security and functionality of IT across the Hub. If you’re organised, keen to learn, and have a ‘can do’ attitude, this could be the perfect next step in your IT career. Some experience in IT support and/or relevant qualifications are desirable, but not essential; enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to develop are key. You’ll be supported by the West Hub Network Manager and will be part of a knowledgeable and friendly team. This role is full time, 52 weeks per annum, It is a great opportunity for someone looking for a fast-paced and rewarding role in a supportive environment. Acer Trust is committed to professional development, and we would welcome candidates interested in undertaking formal study (funded through the Apprenticeship Levy) and informal learning opportunities. As well as enjoying a vibrant and big-hearted working environment and career development opportunities, you will also have the opportunity to join one of the country’s best pension schemes. This position is for 37 hours per week, with working hours from 8am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3:30pm Fridays. This role is paid at Grade 6 (£27,709 – £30,023 FTE). We will work with you and following the achievement of a relevant Level 3 qualification and demonstration of substantial experience working in IT support in a school or comparable environment the salary rises to grade 7 (£30.023 - £32,046 FTE) The closing date for applications is 9am on Thursday 17th September 2026. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 22nd September 2026. For more details, including the Job Description and Person Specification, or to apply, please use the link below: IT Technician (Level 1) at Acer Trust, Oxford, Oxfordshire | MyNewTerm
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Is Bookish any good? I've had it recorded for ages, but have yet to take the plunge!
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Signed up, happy to provide some feedback after a few weeks!
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RANDOM - DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR A USED SMARTBOARD SB640
simpsonj replied to SystemScout's topic in Hardware
I've got SB680s, SB660s and SB560s, but sadly no SB640s -
There is also a nagging thought in my head that you can't pull the attendance % for a set time period, so you have to pull the Total Sessions, and then the 'attended' attendance codes (/ and E?) for the time period, then do the calculation for the attendance % in the spreadsheet.
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This isn't going to be the most helpful of posts, other than to say you can do this, but I remember it being fairly complicated. The main issue is that when you pull attendance data, by default it will just show the latest data %. My very limited memory is that you have to add the attendance data for each week, then you can change each instance of the attendance data (a little button to the right hand side?) to show the attendance for that particular week. But I no longer have SIMS, and my memory is extremely limited!
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Neither can I now. *sigh*
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DNS Hosting - Moving away from RM
simpsonj replied to newpersn's topic in Internet Related/Filtering/Firewall
I haven't had RM Internet for around 10 years either! However, I've still got access to the RM Connectivity website purely to manage the DNS of the school website. It was just a thought, it might be that RM can give you a username and password for that? Otherwise I've moved other school websites using Nominet & Fasthosts, but that can cost £15 for the transfer, require the headteacher to prove ownership, or both! -
DNS Hosting - Moving away from RM
simpsonj replied to newpersn's topic in Internet Related/Filtering/Firewall
Is there any chance you have a login to their DNS management system to make the change yourself? RM Connectivity Services -
Feet of Clay - Terry Pratchett The latest in my re-read of the entire discworld collection, and this book in particular is a reminder of why I love Pratchett. The story telling, the characters, the world Pratchett builds is absolutely top notch, but even more than that, the ideas he brings to the fore through this fantasy setting is fantastic. Both Dorfl and Cheery are both excellent additions to the character roster, and Vimes remains, well, Vimes. Also listening to the Tiffany Aching books with my daughter, which are surprisingly dark. Brilliant books, and I heartily recommend them, but just be aware that I feel that Pratchett recognises his end is coming, and death (rather than Death) is a running theme throughout, and particularly book 4 (I shall wear Midnight) deals with some pretty heavy material.
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Oh, that's very disappointing news. We were hoping to move over to them over the summer to avoid the usual Bromcom collapse in September.
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Smoothwall blocking access to Arbor MIS
simpsonj replied to toffee_paul's topic in Internet Related/Filtering/Firewall
Can you locate the IP address using the Web Developer tools in the browser? My peronal preference for this is Firefox - More Tools - Web Developer Tools - Network this should highligh the web pages that are accessible and those that are being blocked. Once located, you could put the IP address into the Smoothwall under Web filter - Exceptions - Detination Exceptions, or create a rule as @MrEprise mentions. -
From ScoMIS support: Bromcom are aware of the issue and this workaround has been suggested that can be used you can use via the Manage Attendance page: 1. Set Date Range to Week 2. Set View By to Student 3. Select a specific student 4. Tick Show Amend Daily Attendance Buttons 5. Double click the arrow button next to the session Double-clicking the arrow will open a pop-up window, allowing you to select any attendance code from the dropdown list, including the blank (" ") code. Please take care when making changes to ensure the correct sessions are being updated.
