Schools

SIMS introduce 6-month break clause after contract backlash

Legal action has been threatened despite DfE green light

Legal action has been threatened despite DfE green light

13 Jan 2022, 12:02

More from this author

England’s largest school information management system supplier has introduced a six-month break clause to its controversial three-year contract extensions.

Education Software Solutions (ESS) SIMS announced last year that it would be swapping its normal one-year rolling contracts for three-year contract extensions from April.

While ESS said the terms were “not unusual in our industry”, the change was met with pushback from schools who said it forced them to make quick decisions about switching providers to avoid an extended deal.

This week ESS encouraged maintained schools which previously engaged with SIMS through their local authority to sign up directly with the firm.

Mark Brant, chief executive of ParentPay which owns ESS, said: “To encourage them to do so, for a limited period, we are offering to include a 6-month break clause in these new agreements.”

Assistive technology

The option will also be made available for all schools entering into a new three-year entitlement agreement “including those who have already done so”, Brant added.

Schools which previously contracted with SIMS via their local authorities will have until March 31 to confirm a new agreement. But they must flag by February 20 if they wish to have a six-month break option.

Switch comes after legal threat

In November, the Department for Education (DfE) urged schools to delay signing the extension before giving the green light for schools to proceed in mid-December.

Schools Week also revealed that around 400 schools had signed up to take collective legal action against SIMS due to the contract change.

While official legal proceedings have not yet been launched, law firm Stone King said it was in dialogue with ESS lawyers as they believes the change is legally questionable.

However, Brant previously claimed “there is no basis for legal action” as three-year deals were the “industry standard”.

Schools Week understands Stone King is discussing the impact of the updated break clause with its clients.

SIMS runs 68 per cent of schools MIS systems. While it is still the dominant supplier this represents a significant slip form 2012 when it controlled 84 per cent of the market.

Latest education roles from

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Solihull College and University Centre

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

It’s Education’s Time to Shine: Celebrate your Education Community in 2025!

The deadline is approaching to nominate a colleague, team, whole school or college for the 2025 Pearson National Teaching...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Navigating NPQ Funding Cuts: An Apprenticeship Success Story

Last year’s NPQ funding cuts meant that half of England’s teachers faced costs of up to £4,000 to complete...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Embedding Formative Assessment: not just a box-ticking exercise but something long-term and meaningful for all

Our EFA programme has been proven to help schools achieve better GCSE results, as evidenced by the EEF. Find...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building capacity in family support to tackle low school attendance 

Persistent and severe school absence impacts children, families, and communities—especially in disadvantaged areas. School-Home Support’s Attendance Support and Development Programme...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Schools

Free school gets £500k government bailout after wage increase

Private school-turned-academy hit with budget problems after increasing support staff pay to national rates

Jack Dyson
Schools

Coroner concern over school swimming lessons after boy’s death

Coroner warns some primaries are not providing swimming lessons despite it being curriculum requirement

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Schools

Cease and desist: Trust supports staff to sue online trolls

Provision for staff sickness cover will be broadened to cover defamation

Jack Dyson
Schools

Head scores victory as Google agrees to delete school reviews

Tech giant says all school reviews will now be deleted because of ‘consistent off-topic and harmful’ comments

Rhi Storer

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

One comment