9th May 2007
Case Study: SIMS.net Lesson Monitor
Implementing Capita/SIMS Lesson Monitor at St Joseph’s Catholic School and Sixth Form Centre helps bring about improved lesson attendance.

Background
The school approached BITC two years ago with their requirements for teachers to record assessment data directly into SIMS. This meant accessing SIMS.net on a classroom curriculum machine and BITC were able to successfully develop and deliver a working solution.

The school then wanted to extend further the use of their MIS tool in capturing attendance data directly into SIMS. It was important for attendance information to be available immediately after registration was taken in order to react to pupil absence. It would also remove the administrative burden of printing and scanning OMR sheets.

Why SIMS Lesson Monitor?
Teachers were already effectively recording pupil assessment data and creating end of term reports directly into SIMS.net, using Assessment Manager and Profiles. They were familiar with the product which was an added benefit.

In addition, St Joseph’s had been recording attendance data in SIMS Attendance for many years, so it seemed the obvious choice, with teachers already using SIMS.net, to look at the Capita/SIMS Lesson Monitor product.

Having seen the functionality of Lesson Monitor, the school sought advice from BITC. They recommended that due to the school already making effective and extensive use of their MIS tool, it seemed appropriate to use SIMS.net rather than manage a separate attendance recording system. This would enable the school to have all data in one central system as well as being able to complete the new statutory PLASC Attendance return.

"As we were already using Attendance for Windows within SIMS, it seemed sensible to look closely at Lesson Monitor. I went to a demonstration some years ago of the software and it seemed to suit our needs.

The curriculum network already extended around the majority of the school, with the exception of the PE Department. Laptops were purchased and we ran new wires into each changing room. The PE staff take their laptops into the changing rooms, plug them in and record lesson registration directly on the laptops."

"When it was initially implemented, at the end of each day I would print a list of missing registers and display it near the staff room. Staff who missed any registers were asked to catch up the next day."
Martyn Dulake (IT Teacher/Co-ordinator)

The data is particularly powerful when discussing absenteeism with parents. The school is able to call up a student’s lesson attendance on the screen and get a clear picture of not only their attendance but also their assessment and other relevant information (ie. achievement/behaviour).

What did the school wish to achieve by using Lesson Monitor?

"We wanted to ensure that we knew if pupils were in lessons or not. This has worked well as pupils now know that they will be caught if they miss a lesson. Staff are instructed to email the Head of Year if a pupil is marked as being in school, but is not present for their particular lesson.

In addition there have been other benefits, including keeping class details accurate and giving staff the ability to instantly check if pupils were in school during previous lessons".

Using Lesson Monitor has improved whole day attendance and the school is confident that it has considerably reduced individual lesson absences. Both teachers and the school’s Senior Management Team are happy with the implementation of this tool.