
Posted on 14th February 2017
2017/2018 National Insurance Rates for SIMS
The new 2017/2018 National Insurance table rates will need to be added to SIMS Personnel. The following table displays the new rates: Band Upper Monthly Earnings Limit Lower Monthly Earnings Limi...

Posted on 9th February 2017
How to Save £1 Billion
The Department for Education has issued further support to schools and academies to increase the value for money delivered – giving support to save £1 billion a year. We would urge all schools an...

Posted on 27th September 2016
How to Budget for the Apprenticeship Levy
The apprenticeship levy has been talked about for what seems like an eternity. It is now almost upon us and we have to budget for it accordingly. The levy comes into effect in April 2017 and will se...

Posted on 8th September 2016
Calculations for Pupil Premium 2016-2017
In order to assist you in understanding the pupil level, pupil premium information provided in CSV format by the DfE, we have provided you with a spreadsheet for download, along with a presentation ...

Posted on 6th September 2016
Academy Year End Audit
The Academy Year has arrived! To help you to prepare for your audit School Business Services have produced a checklist to ensure you have everything covered. If you need any further assistance in pr...

Posted on 18th July 2016
Schools Out
The last blog of the 2015/2016 Academic Year. I write this as a new Education secretary, Justine Greening, is appointed. No doubt over the summer we will see whether this changes the direction of gov...

Posted on 16th June 2016
SIMS and FMS End of Year Procedures
As the summer term rolls on, schools will already be preparing for their new intake in September, the changes to classes next year and also the end of term leavers. When it comes to the procedures...

Posted on 25th May 2016
Education for All
“A Bill will be brought forward to lay foundations for educational excellence in all schools, giving every child the best start in life. There will also be a fairer balance between schools, through...

Posted on 5th May 2016
Support staff pay scales 2016 - latest news
Just a quick update with regards to the support staff pay scales for 2016. You may well be aware of this, but for those of you who are not, we hope that this proves useful. In March, two of the recogn...

Posted on 23rd March 2016
Are you ready for the SIMS upgrade?
As many of you will already know, the SIMS Spring release is now available. Not only does this include many enhancements to SIMS, it also includes the latest release of FMS, which features changes t...

Posted on 8th March 2016
Consultation - National Funding Formula
In the Autumn Statement the chancellor advised that there would be a consultation programme looking at a National Funding Formula for schools and academies. The Department for Education announced on...

Posted on 22nd February 2016
February Blues
It's a strange February this year - half term came much earlier. There's lots to do but so few days in the month. As we prepare to leap into the last month of the fiscal year we look at where you mi...