Bromcom MIS Webinars, Shard 2024, Cloud wTimeTable and the Attendance Whitepaper
As we pass the halfway mark of June, we've been busy delivering some exciting activity. On June 12th, we hosted our annual Shard event for MATs and LAs, where we unveiled our brand new feature, Cloud wTimeTable. The event also saw the exclusive launch of our Attendance Whitepaper, which explores the main factors behind the rising absences in the UK. Insights from the report were published in The Guardian. And following our successful migration webinars, we are delighted to announce new webinars for schools, MATs and LAs.
Read about everything below.
Bromcom Webinars
With many schools looking to switch providers before March 2025, we're hosting two in-depth sessions which will be a timely opportunity for you to see a demo, find out about migration, and discover the Bromcom difference.
We advocate for schools to have the autonomy to select their preferred MIS. With many SIMS contracts nearing renewal, now is the perfect time to explore alternatives. We support you through every phase, from onboarding to training and implementation. Discover how our comprehensive MIS system equips school leaders, teachers, parents, and students with essential tools for success.
July 11th - Bromcom MIS: Switch on to Bromcom - LA & maintained school session
July 12th - Bromcom MIS: Switch on to Bromcom - MAT & Academy session
Annual Shard Event 2024
On June 12th, we hosted an event at the iconic Shard, welcoming esteemed speakers and hundreds of delegates from various MATs and LAs. The aim of this event was to share insights on the latest trends in the education industry and showcase what’s new at Bromcom. It was a day filled with informative presentations and lively discussions, all centred on enhancing education through innovation. Videos from the day will be coming soon...
MATs
The event kicked off with Rowena Hackwood from Astrea Academy Trust , who delved into MAT strategy, growth, and the key challenges facing the sector. With new challenges on the horizon, it is essential to respond appropriately and leverage available opportunities. Rowena emphasised the importance of strategic planning and adaptability in navigating the evolving educational landscape.
Next, James Browning from Lift Schools took the stage to discuss AI in the context of trust and school strategy. He highlighted that AI is here to stay, and it’s crucial for schools to encourage students to use it safely and effectively. James underscored the potential benefits of AI, urging schools to integrate it thoughtfully into their educational strategies.
Wayne Perry from The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) introduced the topic of MAT-wide assessment to support data-driven school improvement, including the Vision. He recommended several prerequisites for effective assessment: a standardised curriculum, no ambiguous questions, consistent test conditions across schools, a shared understanding of the test’s importance, unseen assessments, and unbiased, moderated marking. These measures aim to ensure fairness and accuracy in evaluating student performance.
Following Wayne, Duncan Baldwin from the Confederation of Schools Trust delivered the key findings from our Attendance whitepaper (see below), and how MATs are using data to address the post-COVID challenges of student attendance. Duncan emphasised the essential role of technology in managing the rising absences in schools and highlighted the critical need for data-driven approaches to improve attendance and overall student engagement.
The first half of our event concluded with Al Kingsley MBE from NetSupport , who spoke about AI and digital innovations in education, both now and in the future. He illustrated how AI can significantly enhance various aspects of education, provided that schools know how to use it properly. Al's presentation underscored the transformative potential of digital tools and the importance of staying ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape in education.
LAs
After a short break, our event resumed with a series of presentations focused on Local Authorities (LAs). The first speaker, Maria Temel from Bolton Council , shared insights from their MIS journey, including the importance of our integrated Finance solution for schools, when they made their decision to switch.
Maria was followed by Michael Heard from Scomis. He spoke about the recent partnership with Bromcom and their vision to deliver outstanding services to their customers. Michael emphasised the collaborative efforts between Scomis and Bromcom, aimed at enhancing the quality and efficiency of educational services provided to schools.
领英推荐
The event concluded with another insightful presentation from Duncan Baldwin , similar to the morning session. Duncan underscored that with the right tools and data-driven strategies, LAs can effectively manage attendance challenges and improve student engagement. This final session reinforced the theme of the day: the importance of innovative solutions in overcoming the current and future challenges in education.
Cloud wTimeTable
One of the highlights of The Shard 2024, was the unveiling of Cloud wTimeTable.
Cloud wTimeTable is an advanced web-timetabling solution that simplifies and accelerates timetabling by eliminating outdated import processes. Cloud wTimeTable features:
Enhanced with Bromcom AI, users will be able to run timetable queries and get automated responses based on school data. Questions like “Which teachers teach year 10 on Friday?” or “List all the teachers who teach English” can now be easily answered.
Fully integrated into Bromcom’s cloud MIS, Cloud wTimeTable requires no separate software and staff can be trained to use it in just an hour. It is live for One-Stop Shop customers and available upon request for Standard and Plus customers. Weekly training sessions are ongoing for those interested.
Check out the demonstration of the Cloud wTimeTable by Richard Clutterbuck, Head of Deer Park School, here.
Attendance Whitepaper
Rising absences have been identified as one of the key contemporary threats to education. Bromcom, in partnership with Schoolzone, conducted a comprehensive survey among 498 schools between April 26th and 30th, 2024, revealing some startling trends in school attendance.
The survey showed that 70% of schools report increased absences post-pandemic, highlighting the lasting impact of COVID-19 on student attendance. Additionally, 68% of schools have seen a rise in absences due to term-time holidays, indicating a shift in how families prioritise vacation time. Even more concerning, 84% of schools identified mental health issues, such as anxiety, as a major factor contributing to student absences.
Despite these challenges, there is hope for improvement. The survey results also pointed to some positive developments:
Schools equipped with a comprehensive MIS system, like Bromcom, report notable improvements in attendance management. These systems enable better tracking and early identification of potential issues, allowing schools to address problems before they escalate. This proactive approach is crucial in tackling the multifaceted issue of rising absences and ensuring students receive the support they need to succeed.
Bromcom's commitment to providing robust MIS solutions is evident in the positive feedback from schools. By leveraging advanced technology and data-driven insights, schools can better understand and mitigate the factors contributing to student absences, ultimately fostering a more supportive and effective educational environment.
We are thrilled that results of our findings where published by the Guardian online.
A good MIS system can make a huge difference. Check out what Bromcom has to offer and schedule a discovery call now