Tuesday 21st June 2011    Hello I hope you have had a good year and that the new government has not presented you with too many challenges. Latest News in this note: Ofsted and the use of data KS2 SATS - Early analysis available SIMS and MIS systems Sixth Form Funding Ofsted and the use of data Ofsted's latest inspection framework is now in pilot testing and will be fully launched for Spring Term 2012. The revised inspection proposals place continued importance on accurate data analysis. They propose to use more straightforward value-added measures to assess the impact the school has made on pupils' progress, not CVA. They will continue to use relevant data about the school's intake of pupils and judgements about progress will be made in relation to comparisons with similar schools. The latest announcement on 23 May 2011 says the Department are conducting a root-and-branch review of all data requirements on schools (including the School Census) and putting in place a more robust scrutiny process to oversee data burdens in the future. This is intended to help the Department meet its commitment of a 30 per cent reduction in frontline data gathering burdens by 2011/12. We shall see. In the meantime we have had the rapid introduction of the EBACC at secondary, which is already having an impact on curriculum design and the numbers expected to study a MFL and history/geography through to GCSE. The knock-on effects to staffing and other subjects will take a few years to ripple through. Finally the current government has raised floor targets for Primary schools from 55% to 60% (percentage gaining L4+ in English and maths). At secondary the proportion reaching 5 A*-C including English and maths has been raised from 30% to 35% and is expected to rise to 40% by 2012/13 and then to 50% by 2015. No account seems to be being taken of school context or of staff and pupil motivation. KS2 SATS - Early analysis available All Primary and Junior schools have now completed the KS2 SATS without any major issues and are awaiting their results (due 5th July). We are providing our KS2 Analysis Reports (£325+VAT) again this year, which helps you to have a full independent analysis ready for your return in the Autumn Term. If you would like one or would like to see a sample let me know or call Louise on 0845 009 4010 or email louise.best@cocentra.com We will be offering our usual RAISE Awareness reports in the Autumn Term once the data is published - book yours now to ensure early delivery. SIMS and MIS systems Stories of schools converting to academies finding their SIMS bills quadrupling are a reality. As LA group licensing begins to disappear, the cost of single school licenses seems to be disproportionate, even taking account of economy of scale issues. This all comes on the back of the James review, which started a process of review of schools' and LAs' procurement processes for MI systems. On page 62 of the report it stated: The Department should procure a central framework for school Management Information Systems (MIS) to address concerns about the legality of the current procurement of such systems by individual schools and to address poor value for money caused by variable pricing structures for different types of institutions. Since then there have been further developments, and the target date for the new procurement framework is now the end of 2011. It is not wholly clear how this will impact on schools' procurement of MI and data support services, but we think schools should be aware that the change is taking place and that it is likely to have an effect, especially for schools who currently have their MI systems procured and supported by their Local Authorities. Sixth Form Funding I have been working with a number of secondaries looking at their planning and in particular their future funding. It has become clear that in addition to reducing the funding to bring it into line with 6th form colleges, there is also a significant reduction taking place in guided learning hours funding from 786 hours to 702 hours. This means in some cases, school sixth forms will see a 15%+ reduction in funding over next 3 years - for a large sixth form this can be as much as £300k. If you have any questions on school data, RAISEonline, FFT, SIMS or any other matter please ring or email me. If you have queries please contact Andy Best - 07917 080201 or andy.best@cocentra.com  If you would like to subscribe to this data management newsletter please fill out the form here