Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cloud-based School MIS?
Although the term ‘cloud’ is banded around on a regular basis these days, it’s not often used in
the right context and its meaning can be quite confusing. In essence, the ‘cloud’ is referring to servers on the internet, rather than ones being
physically installed at your school. So when school software is cloud-based, it means that it’s all neatly tucked away on a remote server away from
your school and you will be accessing it via the internet.
This means you won’t have to keep paying to run, maintain and upgrade any physical servers at your school and you have the added benefit of a third-party
(Bromcom) providing all of your upgrades and ensuring everything is in order, 24/7. One of the key advantages of cloud-based school software is that you
can access them from anywhere, so instead of only being able to logon to your student management system at school, you can effectively work from home, the
playground, the school bus and so on. This comes in handy when you’re on a school trip and want to take a register or record behaviour incidents right there
and then.
You’ll be glad that all of Bromcom’s software for schools is cloud-based so you can reap the benefits and save money whilst you’re at it!
What is a School MIS?
A School MIS or Management Information System is software that is designed to carry out a wide range
of administrative duties at a school. It began as a digital student management system to replace pupil records, so that schools didn’t have to keep
reams and reams of paper-based folders. These days, a modern School MIS is a behemoth that can record and analyse some of the key elements of pupil
performance such as assessment, behaviour and attendance.
What School Timetabling software can I use?
Our school management system includes the Bromcom E-Timetable module, allowing you to create complex school
timetables based on your curriculum and rooming needs. This module allows you to take your current curriculum model in Bromcom and generate a lesson by
lesson timetable for individual teachers. Blocks and carousels can be built and draft timetables can be printed for school staff to review before
implementation.
Once your timetable is complete it can be easily imported into your School MIS so that it is ready to go live at the time you choose. This allows you,
if needed, to have multiple timetables changes across the academic year. Small ad-hoc timetable changes, such as a change of teacher or movement
of one lesson can be done easily and directly from within the School MIS.
When developing your timetable, you are also able to import from other timetabling systems such as Capita’s NOVA-T, KJ Timetabler and Edval timetabling.
What is Classroom Management in the context of a school management system?
When we talk about Classroom Management in a student management system, we’re referring to all of the
digital tools that help teachers effectively carry out their role. It could be our Teachers Dashboard that brings all of their pupils information into
one area (assessments, registers, behaviour, class and seating plans). Or our Google and Microsoft integration so you can easily manage your digital
classroom and associated educational software.
Rather than looking at a School MIS as merely a student data system, we aim to provide school software that benefits the school environment.
We’re trying to remove some burden from teachers and offer some new ways of working that can enhance student outcomes when paired with robust school
processes and support.
How does Bromcom handle student attendance management?
Our school management software provides quick and efficient attendance registration using
any device including mobile or tablet, via the MIS or our teacher app. Statutory (AM/PM), lessons, club and trip registration are included,
and you can automate SMS/email/Push notifications to parents alerting them to their child’s absence.
School cloud systems often boast of their analysis tools but at Bromcom we’re really wanting to get the best out of your data. Our Attendance dashboard
offers a full suite of analytics so you can measure performance, analyse trends and drill down to the detail. Compare year on year and benchmark
against DFE statistics or school targets.
Isn’t a School MIS just a School Administration Management system?
Traditionally, you would be right in thinking that the humble School MIS is just a tool for the admin
team to record information about pupils and staff, but over the past decade it’s prevalence as a tool for teachers has been steadily increasing. Teachers
need information just as much as the admin team, be it a lesson plan, previous assessment results or information about a student’s behaviour. When
school software can provide this is at your fingertips, it allows you to get on with the task at hand and focus on the students themselves.
As school management software becomes more rife in the classroom, it opens up a wide range of new opportunities for how to assist pupils
with both their performance and well-being. What if your School MIS warned you that a student had been the victim of bullying at lunch break?
This small slice of information allows you to adapt your approach with that pupil and potentially enhance their lesson experience. This is something
that our School MIS includes in the teacher dashboard and it’s one of many handy tools and snippets of information that are designed to make teachers
lives that little bit easier.
Is Student Data Management statutory?
Schools are required keep and maintain educational records and also make them available to parents
on request. As per The Education (Pupil Information) (England) Regulations 2005 records include both current and former pupils and schools should
adhere to the retention policies set out but the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Our School MIS is designed with these rules in mind and
includes an array of tools to disclose information to parents, automatically deal with pupil retention and process right to be forgotten requests.
We develop our student management system in line with DFE guidance and ensure that any new regulations are promptly accounted for in all of our school
software.
Does Bromcom include class registration management?
Of course! We see it as an essential part of the School MIS as opposed to an additional bolt-on. You can manage the structure of the school day, academic calendar and the timetable, which covers everything from a morning/afternoon form/tutor group registration to a full subject class-based schedule over a multi week cycle. Maintain classes, forms and groups, including dynamic groups that the system will then automatically maintain according to defined rules such as “all pupil premium boys in KS3 with less than 85% attendance” and “all pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) who received a ‘Good Class work’ commendation this term”. As well as lessons, you can schedule after school clubs and trips, then monitor participation accordingly. Our School Software is designed with the modern school in mind, so we understand that attendance is more than just AM and PM.
What types of school MIS solutions can Bromcom provide?
We’re well known for our Primary and Secondary School MIS solutions but we can also cater for
any type of school. Our school management system is used by Nurseries, Alternative Provisions, All-Through Schools, Special Schools, Sixth Forms,
Virtual Schools and International Schools. Our School MIS is highly adaptable and we’re often willing to develop functionality if there’s something
unique about your school or Trust. It’s well worth getting in touch with us regardless of your establishment type, as our staff want to find the right
solution for each individual school.
