The attached document, SupportNet Resource No 17910, provides information on the latest technical advice for schools using the SIMS Suite including Support End Dates for Microsoft products.
Table 17 of DfE Summary Report (Attendance Information).
There seems to be a problem with the DfE calculations for several of the rows in this table. Code Y should be counted as a session where pupils are not required to attend, but it is being counted as a session where pupils are expected to attend. For example, if a school used Code Y for a strike day last term all of their pupils will be shown as having at least one absence in row two of the table.
Please note that the information in the Return itself is correct and that this is reflected in the SIMS Attendance Detail Report.
We have reported this issue to the DfE but there will not be any updates to the Validation and Summary report files from the DfE to correct this.
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12/01/12
School Census Spring 2012 Fileset 92 - PRUs only
Pupil Referral Units only
There is a new fileset 92 available which provides the following improvements to the DfE validation.
1926 - Pupil No Longer on Roll record should NOT be submitted if there is no attendance or exclusions data for the required period.
This should no longer be wrongly triggered for pupils that left the PRU in Year 11.
2610 - Attendance sessions possible is missing or invalid.
The rule has been amended back to the 2011 definition, i.e. sessions possible must be present and greater than zero.
2615Q - Zero attendance sessions possible recorded for Pupil on Roll. Pupil should only be recorded with zero sessions possible if pupil was dual registered and spent all of the previous academic year for which attendance data is being collected at other registration. This query will be accepted by DfE on condition that a suitable explanatory notepad entry is provided in COLLECT.
The rule has been removed.
2620 - Attendance sessions possible missing or invalid.
The rule has been amended back to the 2011 definition, i.e. sessions possible must be present and greater than zero.
1855 - Child’s Hours at Setting is missing or invalid.
The rule has been amended so that it is no longer wrongly triggered when Hours at Setting is greater than 25.
To download the file, proceed as follows:
The file will be downloaded via the link below, if security warnings appear during the download, click Run/Open to proceed.
When this is complete, click unzip to automatically extract the file to the location C:\Downloaded Patches.
To import the file, enter SIMS.net with the appropriate access level (System Manager) and import via Tools | Setups | Import Fileset.
In the file location box which appears use the browse button to the right to navigate to C:\Downloaded Patches folder, the file 0092-StatutoryReturns-Spring2012_Update_Fileset.mfs will show in the browser, click Open.
The details of file 0092-StatutoryReturns-Spring2012_Update_Fileset.mfs will show, click the Import Fileset button to complete the process.
The Import complete message will appear to indicate successful completion.
Close the screen.
You will need to log out and back into SIMS for this to take effect.
The following guidance notes have been produced in conjunction with NCC to support Northamptonshire schools in producing the January 2012 Census Return.
If you require further assistance with your Census please do not hesitate to contact the helpdesk 0844 8922406.
We will be providing a know errors report week beginning 16th January.
Guidance Notes by school phase for School Census Spring 2012 are available below.
Please note that the ‘selected time’ (Selected Period in SIMS) is based on the last digit of a schools DfE establishment number as follows:
0, 1 or 5 - The selected time is one hour/period AFTER the start of afternoon school
2, 3 or 6 - The selected time is one hour/period AFTER the start of morning school
4, 7, 8 or 9 - The selected time is one hour/period BEFORE the end of morning school
The Autumn Release of FMS version 6.142 is now available
This upgrade to your SIMS finance system contains a number of new features in addition to enhancements and fixes. The most significant of which are in the following areas:
When recording Petty Cash Expenditure Folio, where an element of VAT is being entered and reclaimed, the VAT Number from the supporting VAT receipt must be entered in the new VAT Registration No. Field. This is a change which will now require a VAT number to be entered before the record can be saved.
Enhancements have been made to the Manage Users functionality to enable the creation of Restricted Users within FMS. Restricted Users can be assigned access to specific cost centres or a collection of cost centres and a spending threshold can be set on individual cost centres to further restrict their spending capabilities within FMS.
Scanned Documents. There is now the ability to attach a scanned document to an Invoice or Credit Note. An entry is recorded when a scanned image is added, edited or deleted from an invoice or credit note. Note that a database patch is required to activate this facility.
Historical Analysis Reports A new menu route has been provided to enable access to Historical Analysis Report outputs. t either summary or transactional data can be selected
Improvements to the recording of deliveries, additional functionality has been provided
Enhancements to the Chart of Accounts Review Screen,
For Academies The inclusion of the FMS VAT 126 transaction extract has been provided which will enable non registered VAT Academies to review this prior to submission to HMRC
Enhancements to the BACS Run Report. Additional data fields have been included in this report to improve the security of the report output
For more detail on the changes in the FMS 6.142, please read the FMS Release Notes available below.
Printable upgrade instructions for this update are also available below.
If you require detailed instructions on the use of SOLUS to upgrade SIMS products, visit the SOLUS 2 Documentation page.
Warning: Upgrading and Patching is performed at your own risk. Please ensure you have good backups before proceeding.
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12/12/11
SIMS.net Autumn Main Release v7.142
The Autumn Release of SIMS.net version 7.142 is an essential upgrade for all schools. This release must be taken order to complete the Spring (January) School Census 2012.
This upgrade to your SIMS system contains some new features in addition to enhancements and fixes. The most significant of which are in the following areas: (in all cases more detailed information is available later in these notes).
Admissions - Includes ATF version 8.1 and the functionality to mark an enquiry as Inactive and to record the reason why an enquiry is not being progressed further. Record whether an applicant is required to apply to the UK Border Agency for a CAS number. It is now possible to search for an application by House.
Assessment - globally replace result sets that are attached to aspects in a template and copying of a line of the formula to the next ‘Else’ line when creating a Nested If Then Else formula.
Cover - A number of new features have been included, staff responsible for allocating should read the Cover section of the detailed notes.
Dinner Money - New features include multiple-level debt letters and meal totals on the Dinner Register. Improvements have been made to the Manual Entry Dinner Register report.
InTouch - The following new features have been added:
An option to send students and staff their timetables via email.
Improved SMS matching.
Send a message relating to a detention.
Attach a reason for absence (received for unexplained absences) against a mark.
Error messages simplified.
An ‘outbox’ for queuing has been added.
Lesson Monitor - A new symbol on the register has been introduced if a student is withdrawn from part of a multi-period session in the Academic Curriculum by Student area.
Nova T6 - Includes a new feature (Combing Chart) enabling you to calculate whether a proposed structure will fit into the number of periods available. Individual or groups of subjects can be selected to comb. Data files for export to third party software suppliers.
STAR - The following new features have been added:
Enhancements in Pupil Teacher View, including copying address information and sending/copying e-mails.
Editable refresh rates have been added to Behaviour, Achievement and My Classes Summary panels.
The Timeline can be scrolled for ten days backwards and forwards to enable you to view other classes on the Home Page.
The Select Member browse for User Defined Groups has been modified to enable efficient selection and display of members. The membership display now includes the member’s registration group.
Display off all bands including sub bands and multiple years.
Statutory Returns Included with this Release - This release provides you with the functionality required to complete the following returns:
ASCIS 2012 Return (Independent Schools only).
CESEW 2012 Return.
ISC 2012 Return (Independent Schools only.
PRU Return 2012 School Census Spring Return 2012.
For more detail on the changes in the SIMS .net 7.142, please read the Release Notes available below.
Printable upgrade instructions for this update are also available below.
If you require detailed instructions on the use of SOLUS to upgrade SIMS products, visit the SOLUS 2 Documentation page.
Warning: Upgrading and Patching is performed at your own risk. Please ensure you have good backups before proceeding.
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02/12/11
Own Admissions – 2012
For Northamptonshire Schools
The following documentation is now available for downloading to assist schools through the required processes in order to manage the Admissions process using files provided by the Local Authority.
The latest version of FMS 6.142 requires a modification of the North Somerset specific summary report. Users will be familiar with the need to refresh this file after each FMS upgrade to put the North Somerset version of the file in place.
Before taking FMS 6.142, it is recommended that the existing shortcut on your desktop used to refresh the FMS file is deleted. This needs to be carried out on all workstations running FMS. When the shortcut is deleted, the new version can be downloaded.
Follow the detailed instructions to delete the existing files, download the revised files and created a new refresh shortcut.
Detailed instructions for the replacement of the North Somerset FMS report.
Self Extracting Files
When the new file has been put in place, the FMS 6.142 upgrade can proceed.
Once completed, use the desktop shortcut to refresh the revised North Somerset report.
The DfE has issued the following statement in relation to which attendance code should be used if there is a whole or partial school closure due to the industrial action.
Where a school is forced to close or partially close due to industrial action, each session, should be marked in the attendance register using the Y code.
For information on how to record an exceptional circumstance in Sims .net please see the document below.
An e-mail was recently sent from Northamptonshire County Council to all schools advising them that the new 2012 version of Caspa is now available for upgrading from Caspa 2011. The relevant Guidance notes and reports are now available to download below.
Unfortunately, there is an error in the DfE validation fileset 82 which means that validation error 2610 will be triggered incorrectly for all pupils in a Special School. The DfE have provided a replacement validation file to deal with this issue - fileset 84.
To download the file, proceed as follows:
The file will be downloaded via the link below, if security warnings appear during the download, click Run/Open to proceed.
When this is complete, click unzip to automatically extract the file to the location C:\Downloaded Patches.
To import the file, enter SIMS.net with the appropriate access level (System Manager) and import via Tools | Setups | Import Fileset.
In the file location box which appears use the browse button to the right to navigate to C:\Downloaded Patches folder, the file 0084-StatutoryReturns-Autumn2011_Update_Fileset.mfs will show in the browser, click Open.
The details of file 0084-StatutoryReturns-Autumn2011_Update_Fileset.mfs will show, click the Import Fileset button to complete the process.
The Import complete message will appear to indicate successful completion,
Close the screen
You will need to log out and back into SIMS for this to take effect.
The issue concerning Sixth Form students joining the school this academic year but leaving before the School Census date having an unnecessary inclusion in the return is resolved by Patch 16284.
Patch 16284 has been authorised secondary schools with sixth forms for both SOLUS 2 & 3.
School Census Autumn 2011 - Problem with Leavers and Exclusions
An issue has been identified affecting School Census Autumn 2011.
If a pupil has an exclusion in the Spring Term they should always be included in School Census Autumn, as this collects exclusions from two terms previous. Unfortunately, such pupils are wrongly omitted from School Census Autumn if they leave before the Summer Term without an appeal and an appeal result.
Patch 16242 resolves this issue and is available on SOLUS 2 and SOLUS 3.
If schools believe that they have the circumstances described above, they should take Patch 16242 before completing the Autumn School Census. If these circumstances do not apply, there is no need to apply the patch.
The following notes support the application of Patch 16242 using SOLUS 2.
Some schools may require a revised fileset to resolve validation issues for the Autumn 2011 School Census.(This also includes updates to the validation for the Autumn 2011 School Workforce Census.)
To download the file, proceed as follows:
The file will be downloaded via the link below, if security warnings appear during the download, click Run/Open to proceed.
When this is complete, click unzip to automatically extract the file to the location C:\Downloaded Patches.
To import the file, enter SIMS.net with the appropriate access level (System Manager) and import via Tools | Setups | Import Fileset.
In the file location box which appears use the browse button to the right to navigate to C:\Downloaded Patches folder, the file 0082-StatutoryReturns-Autumn2011_Update_Fileset.mfs will show in the browser, click Open.
The details of file 0082-StatutoryReturns-Autumn2011_Update_Fileset.mfs will show, click the Import Fileset button to complete the process.
The Import complete message will appear to indicate successful completion,
Close the screen
You will need to log out and back into SIMS for this to take effect.
Guidance Notes by school phase for Autumn 2011 School Census are also available below
Home Page Configuration after the commencement of the New Academic Year
A potential issue has been identified with SIMS users with multiple high level access in SIMS 7.140 (Summer Release). These users will not be able to see or configure the home page after promoting to the new academic year. With the exception of the home page these users can continue to access SIMS functionality. Class teachers, Registration tutors etc seem to be unaffected by this issue.
Update – After extensive analysis it was found that this error related to users who had configured the homepage widget view cycle to previous week or fortnight.
Generic patch 16163 is now available and will be included in Autumn 2011 release. Please log a case with the Service Desk if you would like this patch to be made available to your school.
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19/09/11
Autumn 2011 School Census - Northamptonshire
Guidance Notes for Northamptonshire Schools
The following documentation is now available for downloading to assist schools through the required processes to complete the Autumn 2011 School Census Return.
Fileset 0082, which is available for download, contains the latest validation and summary report files for use with Autumn Censuses in England and Wales.
The file will be downloaded via the link below, if security warnings appear during the download, click Run/Open to proceed.
When this is complete, click unzip to automatically extract the file to the location C:\Downloaded Patches.
To import the file, enter SIMS.net with the appropriate access level (System Manager) and import via Tools | Setups | Import Fileset.
In the file location box which appears use the browse button to the right to navigate to C:\Downloaded Patches folder, the file 0082-StatutoryReturns-Autumn2011_Update_Fileset.mfs will show in the browser, click Open.
The details of file 0082-StatutoryReturns-Autumn2011_Update_Fileset.mfs will show, click the Import Fileset button to complete the process.
The Import complete message will appear to indicate successful completion,
Close the screen
You will need to log out and back into SIMS for this to take effect.
Autumn 2011 Primary Preparation Guide (Primary, Junior, Infant, Nursery and Special schools)
Primary Autumn 2011 final completion notes (Primary, Junior and Infant Schools)
Special Schools Autumn 2011 completion notes (Special Schools only)
Secondary Autumn Preparation Guide (Secondary and Middle Schools)
Secondary_ Middle Autumn 2011 completion notes (Secondary and Middle Schools)
Post 16 Autumn Preparation Guide (Secondary Schools with Sixth Form only)
Validation
Error 1925
This validation check has been changed to the following.
All schools except Nursery and Special Schools
PupilNoLongerOnRoll records must only be present if (100064) is prior to (800004) and at least one node exists or (100063) is before start of current term, (100064) is between Easter Monday and Autumn census (800004) and age is between 5 and 15 (inclusive) and (100067) =N or where at least one node exists.
Error 1926
This validation check has been changed to the following.
Special Schools (including Non Maintained Special)
PupilNoLongerOnRoll records must only be present if (100064) is prior to (800004) and at least one node exists and (100063) is prior to Saturday before late May Bank Holiday and age is between 5 and 15 (inclusive) and (100067) =N and (100064) is after the start of the previous Autumn term and before current (800004)
Pupil No Longer on Roll record should NOT be submitted if there is no attendance or exclusions data for the required period
Error 2620
This validation check has been changed to the following.
Special Schools
Error 1940
This validation has change from a Query to an Error with the following changes to the validation check and message.
Validation Check
(100065) must be false or 0 for pupils aged 5-15 as at 31st August
Error Message
Pupils aged 5-15 cannot be shown as having a part time status
Summary Report
Section F. Number of Pupils on roll by their First Language - aged 5 and over at 31/08/11
Rows giving zero for a language have been removed as they were causing confusion. The table now only looks at on roll pupils when deciding which languages to display.
Warning: Upgrading and Patching is performed at your own risk. Please ensure you have good backups before proceeding.
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06/09/11
Using of SIMS Behaviour Management
Bedford Borough
Using of SIMS Behaviour Management to Record Incidents of Bullying, Racist, Homophobia and Disability Behaviour
(Bedford Borough Schools only)
Bedford Borough Local Authority and Capita have been working together to facilitate the recording of bullying, racist, homophobic and disability incidents. Use will be made of the SIMS School Management Information System to record these type of incidents, data will then be extracted by Group Call’s Data Exporter to produce information for the Local Authority. Modification of lookup tables within SIMS Behaviour Management is required.
Bedford Borough has advised its schools of revised working practices when recording incidents of this nature. The documents below give full details of how to record B/R/H/D incidents using Behaviour Management and how to apply patch 16116 (available via SOLUS 2 or 3) which modifies the necessary lookup tables.
The new codes are added to the existing list, therefore where schools have made changes to their local lookup tables they will still be able to selected their own codes. The codes and descriptions used in the revised lookup codes are described in the accompanying document.
Printable upgrade instructions for this update are also available below.
If you require detailed instructions on the use of SOLUS to upgrade SIMS products, visit the SOLUS 2 Documentation page.
Warning: Upgrading and Patching is performed at your own risk. Please ensure you have good backups before proceeding.
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23/08/11
SIMS Performance Indicator (PI) and BTEC results - August 2011
For the attention of Examination Officers and Staff Analysing Examination Results
Performance Indicator (PI) and BTEC results August 2011
Please Note: The issue outlined below has no effect on the download and import of GCSE results into Examination Organiser or the use of PI. Schools most affected are those receiving BTEC Level 3 results. BTEC values may have already been edited in PI following the recent GCE results, schools should aware that following the import of GCSE results, a recalculation in PI will result in these values being revised to their original values. Where a result has been added in its entirety, this will be unaffected by a recalculation of PI.
An issue has been identified regarding point scores awarded to some BTEC results. BTEC basedata contains incomplete information regarding the points associated with Level 3 results. As a consequence, a patch has been made available which will modify the point scores used in PI when calculating BTEC results. It will resolve the issue where some BTEC Level 2 results are showing without point values.
It is recommended that all secondary schools that have received BTEC results associated with the Summer 2011 Examinations Season should apply patch 16138 before using PI to include BTEC results.
Patch 16138 is available on SOLUS 2 and SOLUS 3.
In the case of BTEC Level 3, in addition to the patch, a modification of a BTEC basedata file is required. Full details of the procedures required are given in this document.
The SIMS Exams Results Day Survival Kit 2011 is now available to download and the document is intended to provide Examinations Officers with all the most up-to-date information to help them achieve successful Results Download Days on the 17 and 24 August 2011.
For the attention of Examination Officers and staff analysing examination results
There are examination related issues that secondary schools need to aware of before proceeding with results analysis.
Important Note: None of these issues prevent examination results being downloaded and entered into your SIMS database.
It is recommended that schools should take the Summer Release, SIMS 7.140. However, all SIMS workstations must be running Microsoft .NET 4 Framework. Workstations without .NET 4 will no longer be able to run SIMS until they have this version installed.
For schools on the Summer Release, SIMS 7.140, an additional patch 16067 has been made available on SOLUS 2 & 3.
Further details can be found in the document below.
Northamptonshire County Council Exam Performance Data Collections August 2011
For Northamptonshire Schools
Key Stage 5 results are due to be published on the 18th August 2011. Keystage 4 results are due to be published on 25th August 2011.
The guidance notes will assist with the completion of the templates housing the indicator results for 2011 KS4 Performance Data and the 2011 -16+ Exam Data including the English Baccalaureate. Please refer to previous communication from Bob Payne of Northamptonshire County Council.
Please be advised that on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July 2011 we will be conducting scheduled maintenance in our data centre and this means that the following services will not be available between the hours of 08.00 - 17.00 on the days in question.
SOLUS 2 / SOLUS 3
WAV / BAV
Hosted SIMS Learning Gateway
InTouch
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
29/06/11
Industrial Action 30th June 2011
The DfE has issued the following statement in relation to which attendance code should be used if there is a whole or partial school closure due to the industrial action.
Where a school is forced to close or partially close due to industrial action, each session, should be marked in the attendance register using the Y code.
For information on how to record an exceptional circumstance in Sims .net please see the document below.
Using CASPA to transfer data to Northamptonshire County Council
For Northamptonshire Schools
Two files are now available for download:-
Sims.net Report for DSP Schools which will require import into SIMS in order to update Caspa with current DSP pupils/students.
Guidance notes to assist schools through the process of installing/upgrading Caspa and transferring end of year data to Northamptonshire County Council
The support sessions held in June 2011 focussed on the new SIMS Discover module. The slides used at these events along with the Product guide and Installation guide are now available for download.
Supporting Information For End of Year Procedures 2010/2011
The following files will assist schools with the End of Year Procedures 2010/2011.
There are also further Help Sheets available from within the Documentation Centre accessed from the Homepage within Sims .net, that may assist with some of the processes.
Unfortunately, several issues have been identified for the Update Learning Aims panel in the School Census Summer 2011 application.
Schools with Post 16 pupils may have taken patch 15793, however this has failed to address all issues.
If schools believe that they still have issues as outlined in the linked document, a replacement patch 15831 will include further enhancements to the census and is available on SOLUS 2.
For schools that may have already completed their Summer School Census, reference should be made to the issues document. If none of the issues are applicable, then no further action is necessary.
Details of the issues are given in the following document.
The following documentation is now available for downloading to assist schools through the required processes to complete their Key Stage Returns to the Local Authority or QCDA. A copy of the appropriate documentation has already been posted to all Northamptonshire Schools.
The Submission Dates for returns are:
Early Years (EYFSP) data to local authority – Friday 1/7/2011
Key Stage 1 to local authority – from 06/06/2011 – 24/06/2011
Key Stage 2 NC and P Scales TA to QCDA – Friday 08/07/2011
Key Stage 3 NC and P Scales TA to QCDA – Friday 08/07/2011
For Schools submitting Key Stage 2 and 3 returns
Due to the QDCA website being updated the web address for the submission of results is now:https://ncatools.qcda.gov.uk/
Please find documents relating to the statutory recording and return of End of Key Stage and P Scale assessments for 2011. In addition, for those schools who administer Foundation Stage Profile via SIMS or eProfile separate detailed guidance is also included.
An issue has been identified with the AMPARK resources supplied with the Spring release of Sims .net, version 7.138. Any schools wishing to import and use both the detailed and summary wizards for EYFS Profile 2011 will need to download this file.
To download the file, proceed as follows:
The file will be downloaded via the link below, if security warnings appear during the download, click Run/Open to proceed.
When this is complete, click unzip to automatically extract the file to the location C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net\Ampa\England Primary (and Middle Deemed Primary)\Assessment Manager.
The wizards can then be imported in the usual way via Routines | Data In | Assessment | Import on the workstation where the file has been downloaded to.
The following documentation is now available for downloading to assist schools through the required processes to complete the Summer 2011 School Census Return.
NCC Primary Summer 2011 Preparation Guide (Primary, Junior, Infant, Nursery and Special schools)
Primary Summer 2011 completion notes (Primary, Junior and Infant Schools)
Special Schools Summer 2011 completion notes (Special Schools only)
NCC Secondary Summer Preparation Guide (Secondary and Middle Schools)
Secondary_ Middle Summer 2011 completion notes (Secondary and Middle Schools)
NCC Post 16 Summer Preparation Guide (Secondary Schools with Sixth Form only)
Secondary Schools with a Sixth Form will also need to download and import the following report file (Courses and QANs.exe). This should be be downloaded and then imported into Sims .net via the menu to Reports|Import, selecting the report file (Courses and QANs.RptDef) and click OK.
Warning: Upgrading and Patching is performed at your own risk. Please ensure you have good backups before proceeding.
04/05/11
Spring 2011 CSM Software Updates – Information
The CSM Software Updates were delivered at local venues during late March and early April 2011. They provided information on the SIMS Spring Upgrade, e security and the use of SIMS SEN. The attached file contains the slides used at those events.
Following the SIMS Spring 2011 Upgrade the Nova-T6 Classes screen has updated ALL lesson assignment including NCC’s and this is showing them as over the total allocation allowed.
Unfortunately, the error cannot be corrected by means of a database patch. A revised version of the Novat-T6 application has been created.
To resolve this issue a new version of the Nova-T6 executable has been created, that has to be installed on the relevant SIMS workstation from where the lesson assignments are to be run.
On the workstation that will be used for lesson assignments, ensure that you are logged out of SIMS. On our support site www.capitaess.co.uk and click on the link below.
The link will install a self extracting utility which will replace the version of the local Nova-T6 program file.
If challenged by Windows security, click Run.
When the Self Extracting utility appears, click on Unzip, the file will be extracted and replace the version of Nova T6. The utility will report one file has been unzipped successfully.
When this procedure is complete, you can confirm you are running the amended Nova-T6 by navigating to Nova-T6 | Help | About. This will show Version 6.21, Build 101.
SIMS.net Spring Main Release v7.138 - Northamptonshire
The Spring Main Release of SIMS.net version 7.138 is an essential upgrade for all schools. This release must be taken order to complete the Summer School Census 2011.
It is essential that the upgrade is only applied to SIMS databases that have been migrated to SQL 2008. The notes on using SOLUS to upgrade include detailed information on how to check your version of SQL. Although Microsoft .NET 4 is not required for this upgrade, it is recommended that schools install this software on all SIMS workstations in preparation for the SIMS Summer Release. See instructions to support the installation of .Net
This upgrade to your SIMS system contains some new features in addition to enhancements and fixes. The most significant of which are in the following areas:
Revised files to support the Summer School Census 2011 Enhancements have been made to the Learning Aims panel, enabling you to edit the Learning Aims fields.
Assessment - This release contains functionality to support Assessing Pupil Progress. LAs and schools can now define progress grids for any purpose, e.g. for SEN or EAL assessment. Pre-defined Progress Grid templates are provided for Assessing Pupil Progress in all subjects at Key Stages 1 – 3 for which National Strategies guidelines are available.
Admissions - Enhancements have been made to the areas used by Own Admissions Authority (OAA) schools in the process of ranking applicants. Enhancements have also been made to the Import ADT File and Import ATF File wizards.
AMPARK – has been restructured to contain APP aspects and templates.
Alternative Curriculum - The ability to create alternative activities in order to provide individual timetables for each pupil/student has been added.
Nova-T6 - Several enhancements and fixes have been made to Nova-T6, in addition to the modifications made to Nova-T6 to accommodate Alternative Curriculum.
STAR
Behaviour and Achievements – Electronic and printed report cards will now display ticks instead of crosses to indicate the achievement of a target when printing. Awarded By has been added to the Reporting Dictionary for Achievements. A detention, exclusion or report card can now be added from a behaviour incident without having to re-open the page.
A new Aggregated Student Conduct Summary report has been provided, which details the achievement and behaviour points for individual pupil/students in a given period. This is intended for use as a template report to resolve issues with duplication when reporting on behaviour incidents and achievements together.
Pupil (or Student) Teacher View – the content of the Quick Notes box is now available as a tooltip. The Pupil (or Student) Teacher View page now includes the date of birth on the Basic Details tab.
Home Page – a Scheduled Detentions panel is now available. You can now perform a quick search for all contacts in SIMS.
Child Protection Plan replaces the Child Protection Register (CPR) label on the Application and Student Details pages and the Admissions and Student Report Dictionary (now called the Child Protection Plan Dictionary).
There are fixes and enhancements in a number of modules including Examination Organiser, Assessment Manager, Cover. See notes for full details
There is advice for schools using Microsoft Office 2010.
For more detail on the changes in the SIMS .net 7.138, please read the Release Notes available below.
Printable upgrade instructions for this update are also available below.
If you require detailed instructions on the use of SOLUS to upgrade SIMS products, visit the SOLUS 2 Documentation page.
Warning: Upgrading and Patching is performed at your own risk. Please ensure you have good backups before proceeding.
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23/03/11
Spring CSM Support Sessions - FMS Software Update
The recent FMS Software Update generated several questions relating to functionality within SIMS FMS6, BACs payments and SIMS Fees Billing module. The questions raised and feedback is now available to download along with a copy of the original slides.
For schools looking at the option of becoming an academy, the SIMS Advice for Academies booklet is now available to download, which provides information on how SIMS can assist you. This item is also referred to in your February 2011 CSM Newsletter.
Information on the National Insurance tables for 2011/2012 is now available to download. This item is also referred to in your February 2011 CSM Newsletter.
SIMS Infrastructure Upgrade to Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 and SIMS Summer Release 2011
Important information for SIMS System Managers
In order for schools to take the SIMS Summer 2011 Release of software expected to be available in late June, early July, schools will need to install additional infrastructure software on all computers accessing SIMS.
This software is Microsoft .NET framework 4 and is available as a free of charge download.
It will be essential to make this change to take the Summer Release 2011 which will deliver the requirements of both the Autumn School Census and School Workforce Census 2011. In addition, it is essential for the new SIMS Discover software which will be released separately.
This change is not required for the Spring Update 2011, as a result, the forthcoming release of SIMS will be based on .NET 2.0, inline with the previous releases.
A new version of SOLUS (SIMS On Line Upgrade Service) is in the process of being implemented in schools. SOLUS 3 helps to automate the process of deploying SIMS and other necessary components such as the .NET 4.0 framework. Schools will have been sent information regarding the implementation of SOLUS 3 and may wish to adopt this development before the Summer Release 2011. However, it is unlikely that all schools will adopt SOLUS 3 by late June.
To be clear, SOLUS 3 is not required for the Summer Release 2011, but .NET Framework 4 must be installed on each workstation before this release.
This task may be undertaken before or after the Spring Release 2011.
Accordingly the following notes are provided to assist schools in adding .NET Framework 4 to their SIMS server and workstations. They may wish to undertake this task at any time between now and the Summer Release.
Warning: Upgrading and Patching is performed at your own risk. Please ensure you have good backups before proceeding.
10/02/11
Spring CSM Support Sessions - SIMS Primary Assessment Manager
These Support Sessions have a specific focus on Tracking Pupil Progress in Primary Schools using Assessment Manager in SIMS .net and are taking place in January and February 2011. The slides used at these events are now available for download.
There is now a fix available for the following issue:-
"We are currently aware that there is a problem with the FMS Salary Calculator.
If you use this part of the application, which is accessed within FMS via the route...
“Focus | Personnel Links | Salary Calculator”
you may find that there is a problem with the proposed cost calculation when editing or adding contracts.
Please note that it is only the Salary Calculator part of FMS which has an issue so if you do not use this part of the application you will not be affected in any way."
Patch 15456 resolves the above issue and can be requested for download via Solus. This fix will also be included in the Spring 2011 release of FMS should you prefer to wait.
Should you require this patch prior to the Spring release of FMS, please contact the Capita Service Desk in the normal way to request.
03/02/11
Spring CSM Support Sessions – SIMS FMS6
The Spring CSM Software Update taking place this term will focus on key functionality within SIMS FMS6, covering BACs payments, SIMS Fees Billing module(within SIMS.net) along with FMS Helpdesk FAQs. The slides used at these events are now available for download.
An issue has been identified in School Census concerning the collection of data on 5 year old pupils. A new fileset, Fileset 66, has been issues. All schools with 5 year old pupils (Infant and Primary) must download this fileset before submitting their School Census return.
Please note that if schools have not taken fileset 64, which resolved some earlier School Census issues, fileset 66 can be downloaded as all revisions are included.
To download the file, proceed as follows:
The file will be downloaded via the link below, if security warnings appear during the download, click Run/Open to proceed.
When this is complete, click unzip to automatically extract the file to the location C:\Downloaded Patches.
To import the file, enter SIMS.net with the appropriate access level (System Manager) and import via Tools | Setups | Import Fileset.
In the file location box which appears use the browse button to the right to navigate to C:\Downloaded Patches folder, the file 0066-StatutoryReturns-Spring2011_Update_Fileset.mfs will show in the browser, click Open.
The details of file 0066-StatutoryReturns-Spring2011_Update_Fileset.mfs will show, click the Import Fileset button to complete the process.
The Import complete message will appear to indicate successful completion,
Close the screen
You will need to log out and back into SIMS for this to take effect.
Warning: Upgrading and Patching is performed at your own risk. Please ensure you have good backups before proceeding.
14/01/11
Spring 2011 School Census
Some schools may require a revised fileset to resolve validation issues for the Spring School Census.
To download the file, proceed as follows:
The file will be downloaded via the link below, if security warnings appear during the download, click Run/Open to proceed.
When this is complete, click unzip to automatically extract the file to the location C:\Downloaded Patches.
To import the file, enter SIMS.net with the appropriate access level (System Manager) and import via Tools | Setups | Import Fileset.
In the file location box which appears use the browse button to the right to navigate to C:\Downloaded Patches folder, the file 0064-StatutoryReturns-Spring2011_Update_Fileset.mfs will show in the browser, click Open.
The details of file 0064-StatutoryReturns-Spring2011_Update_Fileset.mfs will show, click the Import Fileset button to complete the process.
The Import complete message will appear to indicate successful completion,
Close the screen
You will need to log out and back into SIMS for this to take effect.
Guidance Notes by school phase for School Census Spring 2011 are available below
Warning: Upgrading and Patching is performed at your own risk. Please ensure you have good backups before proceeding.
13/01/11
SIMS Exams issue with import of all Unit results
Important information for Examination Officers
SIMS Exams issue with import of all Unit results
A problem has been identified in SIMS Examination Organiser with the import of all Unit results under Version 13 of the JCQ Formats which was in the Autumn 2010 release. It is recommended that all secondary schools carry out the process outlined below, even if they may have entered until results manually or had no unit results in January.
Unfortunately, the error cannot be corrected by means of a database patch. A revised version of the Exams Organiser application has been created.
To resolve this issue a new version of the Exams executable has been created, that has to be installed on the relevant SIMS workstation from where the import routine is going to be run.
Ensure that the version of SIMS.net is 7.136 (Autumn Release). If this is not the current release, upgrade to the Autumn Release before proceeding.
On the workstation that will be used to import examination results, ensure that you are logged out of SIMS. On our support site www.capitaess.co.uk and click on the link below.
The link will install a self extracting utility which will replace the version of the local Examination Organiser program file.
If challenged by Windows security, click Run.
When the Self Extracting utility appears, click on Unzip, the file will be extracted and replace the version of Examination Organiser. The utility will report one file has been unzipped successfully.
When this procedure is complete, return to Examination Organiser and import the unit results in the usual manner.
Changes in FMS required for the new 20% VAT Rate (Swindon Schools)
Two patches have been provided for Swindon schools to facilitate the recent changes in the standard VAT rate from 17.5% to 20%. These patches may be used with all versions of FMS from 6.136 and can be downloaded via Solus. The following changes to your FMS system will be applied once the patches have been installed:
Two new VAT codes (In and Out) at 20% using new Ledger and VAT Codes.
The default rate of VAT is adjusted from 17.5% to 20% on Ledger Codes attracting the standard VAT rate.
It is essential that:
This upgrade is carried out on the SIMS File Server or, in the case of peer to peer installation, on the computer hosting the SIMS FMS database.
The user carrying out the upgrade must be logged in as Administrator (or with full Administrator rights).
The SIMS FMS database(s) has been migrated to SQL 2008 (either full product or SQL Express).
We recommend for you to read the documentation below which will assist in applying the new VAT Patches.
The recent changes to the standard VAT rate require modifications to FMS. The standard VAT rate is to be increased from 17.5% to 20% with effect from Tuesday 4th January 2011.
The document below gives detailed instructions on how to:
Add two new VAT rates (VAT In and VAT Out) at the new 20% rate
Change default Standard Rate VAT settings (optional activity) Update Recurring Journals / Payments and Accounts receivable parameters (optional activity)
This document applies to all versions of FMS.
It is likely that additional information will be sent to you by your Local Authority finance team concerning the exact codes to be used.
Schools should be clear which codes are to be used before adding the new VAT codes.
Customers affected: Schools in England using the extended set of ethnic codes.
Problem: In SIMS the description of the ethnicity code WOTW has been incorrectly entered as 'White', whereas it should have been described as 'White Other'.
This may have led some schools to mistakenly enter pupils' ethnicity as 'White' (WOTW), when an alternative code would have been correct, potentially leading to incorrect ethnic analyses.
Solution: In this circumstance schools will need to check where the ethnic code of WOTW has been applied and may need to correct pupil ethnicity details to a different code. A SIMS Report Definition is provided below, which can be imported into SIMS via Reports | Import. This will provide the name, year and registration group of any pupil on roll with the ethnicity WOTW.
The same information can also be derived using the Bulk Update routine, which can then be used to correct ethnic details. To do so, select Routines | Pupils | Bulk Update. In Student Population, select Group Type 'Ethnicity' and Group 'White'. In Update Data Item, select Data Item 'Ethnicity' and click Search.
A patch is available to correct the ethnicity description, Patch 15054. This correction will be included in the Spring 2011 release. Schools may apply the patch or wait until the release - as long as the correct pupil ethnicity has been entered in Pupil Details, the census will return the correct information regardless of the incorrect description. School Census uses the correct description of "White Other" for both the DfE Summary Report and the Detail Report.
Availability: Please contact the Service Desk to obtain the patch or with any queries.
Schools that don't make use of this group of extended ethnicity codes can ignore this issue.
The next release of SIMS software, Autumn Main Release version 7.136 and FMS 6.136, is expected in the next few weeks. This release must be taken in preparation for the Spring School in January 2011.
This release of SIMS and FMS software will only be compatible with SQL 2008.
It is essential that the version of Microsoft SQL, which is the database engine that runs your SIMS and FMS databases, is at 2008. The upgrade will be unsuccessful unless this condition is satisfied.
Within the last year, your school should have undergone a migration from SQL 2005 to SQL 2008. This may have been undertaken by Capita, by a 3rd party you have employed or you may have undertaken it yourself.
In order to check and feed back to us that your version of SQL is 2008, a simple test and survey has been devised.
1. Click on the link below for instructions on how to perform the survey.
2. Return the result of the survey by clicking the appropriate link in the "Survey Response" box below.
You should have received information about the CSM workshop taking place in your area during the Autumn term. All places are FREE OF CHARGE and can be booked by going to Click Here, however places are limited so we recommend you book early to avoid disappointment. Slides for the Assessments sessions are available on our website.
19/10/10
Autumn CSM Support Sessions – SIMS FMS6
The autumn CSM Software Update taking place this term will focus on key functionality within SIMS FMS6, covering SIMS Fees Billing module, Electronic ordering and payment along with FMS Helpdesk FAQs. The slides used at these events are now available for download.
Some schools may require a revised fileset to resolve validation issues for the Autumn School Census.
To download the file, proceed as follows:
The file will be downloaded via the link below, if security warnings appear during the download, click Run/Open to proceed.
When this is complete, click unzip to automatically extract the file to the location C:\Downloaded Patches.
To import the file, enter SIMS.net with the appropriate access level (System Manager) and import via Tools | Setups | Import Fileset.
In the file location box which appears use the browse button to the right to navigate to C:\Downloaded Patches folder, the file 0053-StatutoryReturns_Autumn2010-Update_Fileset.mfs will show in the browser, click Open.
The details of file 0053-StatutoryReturns_Autumn2010-Update_Fileset.mfs will show, click the Import Fileset button to complete the process.
The Import complete message will appear to indicate successful completion,
Close the screen
Guidance Notes by school phase for School Census October 2010 are available below.
Warning: Upgrading and Patching is performed at your own risk. Please ensure you have good backups before proceeding.
redirect=Summer_Exams
redirect=Summer_Exams
17/08/10
Summer Main Release 2010 Examination Update
Only schools with 6th Forms have been authorised for this release.
Due to a change in the basedata for the Welsh and Northern Ireland Examination Boards, there has been a re-issue of the SIMS Summer Main Release version 7.132. The earlier versions of basedata from these boards failed to include the new A* grade in A level subjects.
Only schools expecting to receive results from the above boards for GCE A level entries in the Summer Season 2010 should take this upgrade.
For schools that have already taken the Summer Main release and have not made entries for these boards for the Summer 2010, this upgrade should be ignored.
For schools that have not taken the Summer Main upgrade and have made entries to these boards for Summer 2010, this Examinations upgrade release replaces the earlier Summer Main Release. This upgrade will deliver all the functionality of the Summer Main Release.
The upgrade should be taken following the documentation provided for the Summer main release.
Schools affected by this issue must take this upgrade and carry out procedures in Examination Organiser detailed in the document 'Summer Main Release Exam 2010 Processes' provided, BEFORE importing Welsh or NI Board A level results files.
The Summer CSM Software Updates have been held during June. The slides used at those roadshows are available for download, as are the documents related to the End of Year procedures which were discussed at these events.
After upgrading to FMS 6.120, users will find that there is now a choice of formats for the full VAT report.
Wiltshire schools produce a monthly VAT report which is sent to the local authority as a Tab Separated File. The correct format of this report must be chosen for compatibility with the LA central system.
It is essential that users choose the VAT and Net option, note that this is NOT the default option and the selection must be changed before generating the report.
Full details of this change can be obtained from the link below.
Users in some Local Authorities are experiencing difficulties in downloading upgrade and patch files via SOLUS. A message indicating a failure to reach the SOLUS web server is received.
There are revised SOLUS files available to resolve this issue.
Proceed as follows:
Carry out these operations on the server hosting the SIMS database, or on the workstation hosting the SIMS database in the case of a Workgroup.
Click on the link to download the revised SOLUS files.
When prompted, Run the downloaded file, there may be a second dialogue box asking for confirmation of the Run command.
WinZip is being used to copy the files into the correct location, a default location of the SIMS .net directory server has been pre-entered.
The location is likely to be C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net which is the default entry or D:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net. If you are unsure, use the ESS Upgrade Utility, this will show the location of this folder on your system. See the notes.
Important note, if entering manually, there is a space after SIMS and before .NET
With the location of the SIMS .NET folder entered, click UNZIP to extract the files
A report that 2 files have been unzipped successfully will be received and the process is complete.
Important information for SIMS users in schools in Bedfordshire identified by Local Authority code 820.
All schools currently with a LA code of 820, schools in Bedfordshire, are affected by local government changes which became effect from 1st April 2009. These schools will now be associated with two new Local Authority codes, 822 for Bedford Borough and 823 for Central Bedfordshire.
Patch 13094 will automatically make the necessary adjustment to the SIMS database to ensure that schools have the correct LA code. There is no need to re enter information into the School Details area of SIMS.net. In addition, schools in the Other Schools area of SIMS.net are also adjusted. This means that the LA code of 820 is replaced by the appropriate new code for feeder and destination schools that you have on your system. This is important when sending and receiving CTF files (Common Transfer Files). Again no manual adjustment is required.
Now that these changes have become effective, this patch must be run before downloading any files from SOLUS as the old 820 for Bedfordshire is no longer recognised. Accordingly, this patch will need to be run manually without the aid of SOLUS.
Read the instructions for applying this patch, then use the links below as instructed.
Left Click on the document below to read it. Print it if you require a hard copy.
Right Click on the document below and choose "Save Target As..." to save a copy to your computer.
This document is appropriate for all schools who have closed the school due to unexpected circumstances eg the recent poor weather. The notes cover how to allocate the Y code to the relevant register dates.
Warning: Upgrading and Patching is performed at your own risk. Please ensure you have good backups before proceeding.
26/06/08
Education Service Desk Web Logging
You now have the ability to log and track your Education Service Desk calls across the internet. These documents provide guidance on the process and solution search information.
Note: This patch is only an essential requirement for Wiltshire LA schools
There has been an on-going issue with the Full VAT report being generated each month by Wiltshire schools. This report sent to Wiltshire LA and imported into their system to maintain reports of VAT payments for each school. Since the migration of FMS to SQL 2005, this import has experienced difficulties requiring intervention by Wiltshire LA staff.
This situation is now resolved by patch 1383 which will make adjustments to the Full VAT report being generated by FMS.
Read the instructions for applying this patch, then use the links below as instructed.
Left Click on the document below to read it. Print it if you require a hard copy.
Right Click on the document below and choose "Save Target As..." to save a copy to your computer.
Essex has issued new Ethnic codes, details of which can be found on Essex Schools’ Infolink.
1. Click on the self extracting archive below and select "Run" or "Open".
2. Extract the files to the C:\Temp\Ethnic folder by clicking "Unzip", then "Close".
3. Open SIMS .net and click Tools | Lookups | Configure Ethnic Codes.
4. Select "C:\Temp\Ethnic\Ethnic.txt" and click the Configure button.
The six additional codes will not be visible until SIMS .net has been closed and re-opened.
First Language Codes required for School Census January 2007, to replace Home Language codes.
Import the appropriate file for your Local Authority by following the instructions below.
1. Click on the document below to read it. Print it if you require a hard copy.
2. Select your Local Authority and school Phase, then click the "Download" button.
3. Select "Run" or "Open".
4. Extract the files to the C:\Temp\FirstLanguage folder by clicking "Unzip", then "Close".
5. Follow the instructions to import the new language codes.
---Customer Information---
Named Contact:
School Name and Postcode:
Helpdesk Reference if already logged:
Priority:
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
Date:
Time:
---Software Enquiry---
Please enter any relevant details (software title or module including version number) recording any error messages/updated information:
---Hardware/Systems Failure (Backup, Printing, Modem, Networking etc.)---
Equipment:
Fault/Error:
Last Action:
Other relevant circumstances:
Welcome to the Capita Education Support Services page
The Capita Group Plc is the UK's leading professional and support service organisation, providing an integrated range of services across the UK's public and private sectors.
Capita interacts with 33 million people across the UK on behalf of our clients across the public and private sectors. We aim to improve our clients’ service quality, reduce their costs of delivery and enable them to transform the way they deliver services to their customers.
Using the site
Download upgrades and patches from this page only when advised by your local Capita support team.
Feel free to read any documentation, and make use of any utilities available.
Downloads are often applicable to certain audiences only. Below the article title is a list of the school types that require or can make use of the download.
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Part of The Capita Group Plc, 71 Victoria Street, Westminster, London SW1H 0XA.
