Banjo

And spend more public money collating the answers :-(

The refund will be based on which modules the schools licences from Capita and is then entitled to direct support from Capita but are in fact supported by the provider instead - ie, Learning Gateway.

Which LA's have this with ONE ?

We were just looking to pick up EY, Phonics, KS1 & KS2 stat. assessments. The same Aspects for SIMS will go into ONE which makes things easy for us. Schools type them into SIMS during the day they appear in ONE that evening. Other MIS would be more tricky. Xporter/XVault questions? Does this mean the LA has to have software installed at its end or just at the school end? Have you got a flow chart you can upload to show the movement of the data?

Does this work with all MIS? We use B2B (Phase 2+) and are looking to pull statutory assessment data from our SIMS schools via B2B. We have had issues (bugs) so far with data not going in correctly on our test system. Hopefully the lastest release will fix this. However, we don't pull any data for other MIS automatically into ONE - only via the school census 3 times a year. This adds admin tasks to schools - exclusions have to be sent via paper copies, EWOs less efficient, the LA FSM checking service may not pick up where pupils are if they have moved school etc. We have schools with; SIMS, RM, ScholarPack, Progresso and Facility - just need Arbor and I'll shout Bingo! We have tried importing files from other MIS manually. RM file show errors ScholarPack goes in :-) Progresso > no export file routine Facility - school(s) didn't buy the export .dll so no export Question - Where does Exporter 'dump' the files at the LA end? Do they go onto the B2B server and into the import queue?

http://food.fnr.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/food/fullset/2016/12/8/1/JE0205H_Cacio-Pepe-Popcorn_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.suffix/1481216491893.jpeg

Or the PC gets stolen or recycled as a classroom/library PC without realising it holds the entire pupil database tucked away in a folder on the C drive.

You can do this from the Template level, not the marksheet.

Be very careful when using the same data (as live) for training. You may run into DP issues if you are producing guidance notes and also someone will undoubtedly connect to the wrong (live) database by mistake and make changes that will require a restore. Having said that.. Open up dbattach and restore the latest .bak file from the SQL backup folder on the server. Choose a different name to restore as (throws a warning) and then set your ini to point to that name. You will then need to copy & paste the old docserver folder into the new folder structure > Open training db add a dummy doc for any student to make folder structure. If it were me, I'd delete out all the exisiting users and recreate with a new username ie training-smithk. The db will also need to be updated - probably manually using db upgrade to keep in step with the apps.

I think Arbor also have access to the DfE's national pupil datasets. I'm not sure why they would need that but they have it?

@PhilNeal, I'm hearing rumours about Capita introducing mandatory annual hosting fee(s) being tagged on to the schools annual maintenance costs for Sims Primary? I (we) were led to believe that SIMS8 would cost no more than SIMS7?

Don't think its that. Created a class teacher with a password of 'password', gave it every permission there is in SIMS and could log straight back in using password. There is nothing in the sims.db_user table that's helpful either.

My guess, a limit in SIMS - probably set at 256 and a hangover from the past.

Happens more often than you think. You get that awkward silence when you ask, "who does your backups?" .................. "We thought you did them for us"

Speak to your support team, they may even log on and run the routine for you.

I don't want to sound all doom and gloom, but it's highly likely that someone will end up looking for a new job if you let any of the 6th form loose on SIMS.

Remember you don't have to count them you just have to check for any documents that may have been created where someone has recorded the numbers of lightbulbs (types) in school. But I do get your point, especially when the requestor requires information from previous years 14/15, 15/16, 16/17, etc

You can also put the tick in SIMS for slow connections (under setups) - that might speed things up slightly.

Refused - it went to every LA in the country and nobody provided the answers as the request would take too long. So he chopped the questions up and resent them out as individual requests to LA's and we still said no as he was now deemed to be vexatious :-) > A Parent from Kent who'd fallen out with the LA.

This Information is in the public domain https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about/statistics This biggest FOI we have had so far is this one. I've had to cut some of it out as you can only post 15000 characters. There was 33 questions! 1. Section 5, page 6 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the percentage of Personal Education Plans (PEPs) that have been assessed as high quality and effective within each academic session? Yes or No If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data. 2. Section 22, page 11 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the percentage of looked after children/care leavers (aged up to 18), that were educated in an educational institution judged as outstanding or good by Ofsted in each academic year? Yes or No? If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data 3. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the amount of the authority’s care leavers (aged 19-25) that have returned to education or training in each academic year henceforth and were supported by the authority? Yes or No If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data The electorate would like to know how your authority is performing against the statutory duties stated in the document Promoting the health and well-being of looked after children, statutory guidance for local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and NHS England, March 2015. On page 6 of the document it states: ”The local authority that looks after the child must arrange for them to have a health assessment as required by The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010” & “The initial health assessment must be done by a registered medical practitioner”. These statements clearly refer to the responsibility being positioned with the local authority; therefore the electorate would appreciate receiving this information from the local authority and not from any organisations that are commissioned to perform this work. 4. Section 40 page 15 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the number of looked after children and care leavers that entered the care of your authority within each financial year and henceforth? Yes or No. If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data. 5. Section 40 page 15 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the number of looked after children and care leavers that entered the care of your authority in a financial year and henceforth, that had a statutory initial health assessment on entry to the care system? Yes or No? If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data 6. Section 42, page 15 of the above document. The electorate would like to know that the emotional health of children coming into care is assessed by a person qualified to assess mental health. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the number of looked after children and care leavers that entered the care of your authority within each financial year and henceforth, that had their emotional health assessed by a registered medical practitioner (a person qualified to assess mental health) as part of their initial statutory health assessment? Yes or No? If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data. On page 4 of the document it states “Local Authorities must comply with this guidance unless there are exceptional reasons that justify a departure” 7. Section 42, page 15 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the number of looked after children and care leavers that entered the care of your authority within each financial year and henceforth, that were diagnosed as needing support with their emotional well-being as part of their initial health assessment? Yes or No? If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data. On page 4 of the document it states “Local Authorities must comply with this guidance unless there are exceptional reasons that justify a departure” 8. Section 42, page 15 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the number of looked after children and care leavers that received a therapeutic intervention from a registered medical practitioner to improve their emotional health and well-being as part of their initial health assessment? Yes or No? If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data. On page 4 of the document it states “Local Authorities must comply with this guidance unless there are exceptional reasons that justify a departure” 9. Section 42, page 15 of the above document. The electorate would like to know that suitably qualified people are assessing the emotional health of looked after children and care leavers coming into care. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the names and qualifications of the medical practitioners that have assessed the emotional well-being of looked after children and care leavers that entered care of your authority, in each financial year and henceforth as part of their Initial Health Assessment? Yes or No? If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data. On page 4 of the document it states “Local Authorities must comply with this guidance unless there are exceptional reasons that justify a departure”. 10. Section 42, page 15 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the number of looked after children and care leavers that entered the care of your authority within a financial year and had their mental health assessed by a registered medical practitioner (a person qualified to assess mental health) as part of their initial statutory health assessment? Yes or No? If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data. On page 4 of the document it states “Local Authorities must comply with this guidance unless there are exceptional reasons that justify a departure” 11. Section 42, page 15 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the number of looked after children and care leavers that entered the care of your authority within a financial year and henceforth, that were assessed as needing support with their mental health, as part of their initial health assessment? Yes or No? If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data. On page 4 of the document it states “Local Authorities must comply with this guidance unless there are exceptional reasons that justify a departure” 12. Section 42, page 15 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the number of looked after children and care leavers that entered the care of your authority within a financial year that were diagnosed as needing support with their mental health and received a therapeutic intervention from a registered medical practitioner, as part of their initial health assessment? Yes or No? If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data. On page 4 of the document it states “Local Authorities must comply with this guidance unless there are exceptional reasons that justify a departure” 13. The electorate would like to know that suitably qualified people are assessing the mental health of looked after children and care leavers coming into care. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the names and qualifications of the medical practitioners that have assessed the mental health of looked after children and care leavers that entered the care of your authority within a financial year and henceforth, as part of their Initial Health Assessment? Yes or No? If the answer is no please specify when you will have a system in place to supply the data. On page 4 of the document it states “Local Authorities must comply with this guidance unless there are exceptional reasons that justify a departure” 14. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the percentage of the total population (not just the initial health assessment) of the authority’s looked after children and care leavers that received a mental health intervention from a qualified medical practitioner (Child and Adolescent Mental Health service or equivalent) within a financial year and henceforth? Yes or No. If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data. 15. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the total amount of public funding spent on mental health provision (CAMHs or equivalent) within a financial year and henceforth, for the total population of the authority’s looked after children and care leavers? (up to the age of 18 under the care of the authority) Yes or No. If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data. 16. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the total amount of public funding spent on mental health provision (CAMHs or equivalent) for all young people (not just LAC an Care Leavers) within a financial year and henceforth, Yes or No. If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data. 17. The electorate would like to know the impact of mental health interventions delivered/commissioned by the authority for looked after children and care leavers. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the aggregated data from Revised Childhood anxiety and depression scale tests that have been conducted on looked after children and care leavers? These tests should be conducted with every young person that engages a mental health intervention (CAMHs or equivalent). Yes or No. If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data. The electorate would like to know how your authority is performing against the statutory duties stated in the document -The children Act 1989, guidance and regulations, Volume 3: planning transition to adulthood for care leavers. October 2014. Can you please confirm that your local authority will be in a position to supply the following data/information: 18. Section 4.4, page 34 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the amount of former relevant young people that are being supported by your authority to return to education, training or employment within each financial year and henceforth? Yes or No? If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data 19. Section 4.4, page 34 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the number of former relevant young people that have received a PA to support their education or training within a financial year and henceforth, aligned to section 23C (3) (a) of the 1989 Act? Yes or No? If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data 20. Section 4.5, page 34 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the amount of public funding the authority spent in a financial year on expenses associated with employment for former relevant young people, section 23C (4) (a)? Yes or No? If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data 21. Section 4.5, page 34 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the amount of public funding the authority spent in a financial year on expenses associated with education and training for former relevant young people, section 23C (4) (a)? Yes or No? If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data 22. Section 7.12, page 62 of the above document .By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the number of your care leavers that the authority has placed in bed and breakfast accommodation in each financial year and henceforth, aligned to section 23B of the 1989 Act, and regulation 9 (2) of the care leaver regulations? Yes or No? If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data 23. Section 7.27, page 65 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the number of care leavers that the authority has placed in a staying put arrangement in each financial year and henceforth? Yes or No? If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data. 24. Section 7.30, page 66 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the total amount of public funding that the authority payed for staying put arrangements in each financial year and henceforth, aligned to section 23CZA (4) of the Children Act 1989? Yes or No? If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data. 25. Section 8.19, page 80 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the numbers of care leavers that were awarded the setting up home allowance (public funding) in each financial year and henceforth? Yes or No? If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data. 26. Section 8.19, page 80 of the above document. By January 2017 will your authority have a system in place to supply the electorate with the numbers of care leavers that left the care of your authority in each financial year and henceforth? Yes or No? If the answer is no, please state when you will have a system in place to supply the data.

I take it your not an LA school? Most MIS are priced per pupil. Sometimes in bands 0-250 251-500 etc others like SIMS on specific pupil numbers ie 10x £4 =£40 per year (example) but you would need to make a one off licence payment (arm & leg). If you have to complete statutory returns to the DfE then you will need a 'proper' MIS not a home brew. You could try Scholarpack they have some small schools Case Study

We get about 1 a day to deal with. Most are just too lazy to look the information up themselves thats already been published, others are journalists spamming everyone for a response so they can put a % into their next article.

I've tend to use this for FOI's like Q2 "This information is currently in the public domain - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about/statistics" Where I don't have what they are after "The council has no electronic or hard copy of the information requested" > and if part b of the question is why we don't collect that information then > "The council has no electronic or hard copy of the information requested" I also tend to screenshot (photo) the responses and submit them as a .pdf rather than in any Excel template provided by the requestor, ensuring that it is clear and legible. 6. What do you do to obtain details of all parents? There is no policy in place to obtain a missing parents details Request details of all parents in registration form Ask the registered parent(s), verbally or in writing. Ask parents to fill in a data collection sheet each year. Request a copy of the child's birth certificate Wait for the “absent” parent to contact the school o Keep an "Absent Parent Register" (missing parents can receive information if they provide SAEs) My response to Q6 would be "The school has no electronic or hard copy of the information requested" if it wasn't written down in a policy document.

Never heard of it. You may need a VM to run it on Win98/XP

Yes, you can pull other fields from the table, but those are the most useful.