New 02/09/2010 KS1 to KS2 Analysis report (UPDATED version)
SITSS have produced a SIMS report, in conjunction with the Assessment team, to enable you to analyse your 2010 KS2 test data by looking at the APS increase from KS1 to KS2. The report will also allow you carry out futher data analysis by looking at APS increase by vulnerable groups, and has been designed to emulate (as far as possible) the analysis that will be available in RAISEonline. If your school did not take part in the 2010 KS2 Tests, then there is a second report available that analyses KS2 TA data. Both reports are available to download from our here...

New 01/09/2010 Autumn School Census Post-16 Data document for secondary schools now available!
Please visit our census page here to obtain this document, which contains essential advice enabling you to prepare your Post-16 data for accurately for the School Census

Updated 27/08/2010 OCR have issued revised basedata and results files

We have been informed by OCR that revised basedata for series 6A10_01 is now available for download (revision x05). Result type for single award modular certifications has been amended to B, and maximum marks have been supplied. Early reports from users indicate that this modification allows successful import of grades below A*, along with the total UMS corresponding to the grade. This value appears in the Candidate Statement of Results in the 'Equivalent' column.

Revised results files have also been generated and released to schools early this morning, with two corrections:

1. A* grades for single award modular certifications are now correctly returned;
2. Results for double award modular certifications are now returned using the same formulation as is normal for dual science, except that the two grades are not necessarily the same, e.g. 1D E.
We believe this should resolve all known issues with OCR results.

New 23/08/10 Job Vacancy

MIS Consultant
£22,221 - £30,851 PA, Pro Rata for term time plus 20 days
These posts are offered at full-time hours but can be 52 weeks or term time plus 20 days (negotiable)
As part of this busy team you will be supporting schools via telephone and remote access and on-site visits. You will also be involved in designing & delivering training courses in the use of Schools Information Management Systems (SIMS), with the opportunity to develop specific areas of SIMS to assist schools in getting better value from their investment- advising School IT Systems Support (SITSS) and schools of new features and developments and QA new software releases. Above all, you will need to have SIMS experience and commitment to delivering a high quality and friendly service. We are particularly interested in hearing from you if you have experience of timetabling and examinations and/or assessment in a school environment. For an informal discussion, please contact Anna Hearn on 01438 844569 / 844062.
Apply now online at www.hertsdirect.org/jobs or telephone for an application pack on 0845 6014834 at anytime quoting ref: C04092XE. Closing date: 21st September 2010.
Interview date 4th October 2010.

Updated 20/08/2010 KS5 Exam Results – Incorrect Values Reported - Patch now released to schools via Solus. More information...

19/8/2010 Please note that there appears to be an issue with the Exam Result Performance Table data reported from Sims Examinations Organiser for the Age 16-18 cohort.

The number of Entries and Point Score Value per pupil that are being reported are higher than they should be. It appears that AS results are either being counted as A2 or are not being discounted. Capita are aware that there is an issue and are working to identify the specific problem and more importantly a resolution. The report from Exams Organiser that is reporting the wrong data is via - Reports \ Results \ Performance Tables. SITSS will be posting an update on their website as soon as we receive additional information from Capita. We have advised the Data Collection team that there is an issue that may affect schools submitting their data to them.

New 06/08/2010 Privacy Notice

Updated Privacy Notice details can be found here...

New 02/08/2010 Trojan Virus warning

McAfee have found a new variant of the Bredolab Trojan that is spreading by email. If you receive an email similar to the following you should delete it immediately. DO NOT OPEN THE ATTACHMENT.

Subject: “McAfee VirusScan Plus”
Message body: “Download a FREE 30-day Trial of MCAfee VirusScan Plus and Be Automaticaly Entered to Win.
Installation file attached”

You will notice that both “MCAfee” and “Automaticaly” are not correct spelt. The Bredolab Trojan is in the attachment - do not open it!

New 23/07/2010 Exam Results

For more info please follow this link...

New 20/07/2010 KS2 Data for New Intake September 2010

For more info please follow the link...

New 07/07/2010 Notice to schools applying for Academy status

We have compiled a 'Frequently Asked Question' document, that will be updated as and when further details are clear regarding data migration etc to the new institution. Please click on this link to see the latest information available. SITSS are committed to provide continued support for ICT/SIMS across all schools in Hertfordshire. Please email maralyn.pomeroy@hertscc.gov.uk if you have any further queries.

New 07/07/2010 Condensed KS3 - QCDA requesting F or P grades

For more information please click here...

New 01/07/2010 Freedom of Information Request (FOI)

Some schools have received a FOI request concerning ICT equipment and services operating in their establishment. Please follow this link to a template of suggested responses for schools to use as appropriate.

New 24/06/2010 CAF and Single Service Request If you downloaded these prior to 24th June please download again as details have changed

The CAF and Single ServiceRequest (version 6) forms have been updated. Please download the new versions of the Sims .net Report to enable you to generate the county standard forms directly from Sims. These can be found here...

New 14/06/2010 AM7 Tracking Progress for SLT

The free demonstration of AM7 Tracking Progress for SLT can be found here...

New 09/06/2010 SIMS Managers Conference

The presentations and other material demonstrated at June's SIMS Managers Conference can now be downloaded here...

New 08/06/2010 Common Assessment Framework

The forms supporting the Common Assessment Framework have been updated nationally, to support the National eCAF system. The CAF Action Plan and CAF Review forms have been replaced by a form called a Delivery Plan & Review. Please download the 2 new Sims .net reports to enable you to generate these standard forms directly from Sims. These can be found here...

New 01/06/2010 Data Security

Updated documents and model policies on Data Security are now available here...

New 28/05/2010 IMPORTANT!! DINNER MONEY 7 CHARGE FORECAST LETTERS

Despite the release of a patch to schools Sims Database, some schools appear to still be having problems with the Charge Forecast Letter.

Please check your letters carefully before sending, and contact the SITSS Service Desk on 01438-844777 - Option 1 if any discrepancy is found.

New 24/05/2010 SLG Update
SLG Update 3 now available to keep you informed on the progress of the SITSS Hosted Sims Learning Gateway project. It can be found here...

New 20/05/2010 End of year in Sims.net

Secondary end of year guidance - Pastoral and Academic Promotion. here...

New 17/05/2010 End of Keystage Documents

Documents for returning Teacher Assessments for End of Keystages 1, 2 and 3 and also EYFS Profile are now on the End of Keystage page here...

Please note that there is a possible issue when creating the CTF for returning KS2 assessments, whereby a pupil with P scales recorded for Maths may not be included in the CTF. Please check the CTF Export Exception Log if you know that you have such a pupil, and contact the Service Desk if you believe their data has not exported.

New 12/05/2010 Assessment Manager and Keystage 3

New information about AM7 and KS3 can be found here...

New 29/04/2010 Guidance Documents relating to Secondary Summer School Census (20th May 2010) can be found here...

Information for the Primary Summer School Census can be found here...

Please check these links frequently for Census updates.

New 19/04/2010 Following advice from the AIO's, schools who have students stuck abroad due to the volcano in Iceland are required to mark them with the Attendance Code C Other Authorised Absence. For students who are stuck on a School Trip then the advice is to use the Attendance Code V Educational Visit.

New 08/03/2010 Updated Guidance Documents on Data Security and the Safe Handling of Data click here...

New 22/02/2010 A couple of new resources that may be of interest to Secondary schools using Assessment Manager can be found here...

New 22/02/2010 SLG Update

SLG Update 2 now available to keep you informed on the progress of the SITSS Hosted Sims Learning Gateway project. It can be found here...