Hear from primary schools like yours using ScholarPack
Get in touch
How long have you been using ScholarPack?
We have been using ScholarPack since September 2013.
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
We were previously using a school-based server system for a total of 18 years and our server was very old and swiftly becoming outdated. After discussing our options we decided to switch to a new system instead of updating our current server so we visited other schools who were currently using ScholarPack and found it straightforward to use.
What areas of ScholarPack do you use day to day?
The meals option on the register is working out nicely as we use this on a daily basis. We also input and amend the children's data and information about staff regularly, which is proving to be useful.
How have you found the support from us?
The support that we receive from ScholarPack is excellent. I have rang with many questions and the help is always instant and my problems are solved hastily.
How did you find migrating from your previous system?
ScholarPack changed over our data for us hassle-free, we simply sent across a Common Transfer File (CTF) and our information was imported onto our new system.
How do you use ScholarPack?
ScholarPack is our Management Information System. It contains all of our pupil and staff profiles. We use ScholarPack on a daily basis for registration and the management of school clubs, as well as the mandatory pupil census and workforce census. We also use ScholarPack Assessment to help us record and manage pupil progress and we are looking to purchase ScholarPack Comms once our other contract is up.
Why did you move to a cloud-based MIS?
The reason we looked at switching from our existing server-based MIS to a cloud-based one such as ScholarPack was due to two issues; the first was that it created a gap in our business continuity plan as we would lose all of our data if there was an issue at our school.
The second was that I actually work across two separate schools and on census day I had to drive back and forth a number of times to complete the census on each of the sites. With ScholarPack I can complete both schools census’ from one location on any device which has made my life so much easier. Staff can also work remotely which makes the system far more flexible and interchangeable.
On a day-to-day basis ScholarPack enables me to extract any information I need quickly and easily, saving me so much time compared to our previous MIS. The reporting is much easier and by bringing everything into one system such as clubs and assessment, there’s no more switching between different systems and spreadsheets and it’s so much more secure. The electronic automatic updates on ScholarPack are seamless, a world away from our previous MIS local upgrades which would frequently send the entire system down, resulting in a backlog of administrative work.
What has switching to ScholarPack meant for your school?
We now have a robust business continuity plan in place as with ScholarPack we can access our data from anywhere at any time. We have also ditched the numerous spreadsheets and third party systems, bringing registers, clubs and assessment under one system which saves us so much time as we no longer have to switch between several different programs.
We have transformed first aid with ScholarPack as we now record accidents and incidents, as well as report them to parents all in one place. We are therefore continuously building an evolving electronic profile for each student and staff member which is in one place, robust and secure.
Would you recommend ScholarPack?
I would definitely recommend ScholarPack to colleagues in other schools. I have now implemented ScholarPack at three different schools and each time the transition was absolutely seamless and not onerous on the school at all, the ScholarPack team take care of everything.
The MIS is more robust, more user friendly, more affordable, more customisable and more accessible than my previous non cloud-based MIS. The customer service is second to none, if there’s something it doesn’t have which you need all you have to do is submit a request to ScholarPack. The interface is extremely clear and simple to use, if you don’t know how to do something you can usually work it out yourself and if not, the chat support is amazing.
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
We chose ScholarPack because we found the system to be far more user friendly than our previous system; this was particularly helpful when we initially switched as all of our staff found it easy to grasp. The web-based aspect of ScholarPack is useful because it means that all staff can use the system wherever they are from any device.
What do you like most about ScholarPack?
The assessment module has saved us a lot of time, previously we were inputting all of our information into different spreadsheets whereas now we can input everything into ScholarPack and it's conveniently all in one place. The user interface also attracted us to the product, the bright screens and icons are easy to access and everything is only a few clicks away.
In what ways has ScholarPack helped your schoool?
The accessibility of the system has made our staff's jobs much easier, for example at an after-school club if a child hasn't been collected, the member of staff can log on and access the child's contact details without difficulty. The register has also been very helpful, all staff are now able to see the reason for a child's absence without having to send time-consuming messages around the school.
Would you recommend us?
Yes we have been recommending ScholarPack to a few other schools whenever the opportunity arises.
Why ScholarPack?
Being a relatively new school we felt the need to modernise our MIS as our previous system was outdated. As a new, forward thinking school we needed a modern MIS that could meet our needs - that's why we chose ScholarPack.
What do you like most about ScholarPack?
We have found that the help and support from ScholarPack has been fantastic. The support staff have never expressed impatience, even when we have made many phone calls with our different queries. We have found it easy to get in touch at all times and the help we receive has always been instant which is great, especially when we are busy and need our queries solving quickly. This helpful guidance from support has made the system easier to use on a daily basis and more manageable for our staff.
We have found the reporting tools easy to use and have made our after-school clubs more convenient. We are now able to create a PDF which includes a breakdown of all of the clubs and a list of children and teachers attending these clubs in just three clicks - making the administrator's job much simpler.
Would you recommend us?
We would definitely recommend ScholarPack to another primary school.
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
We primarily decided to switch to ScholarPack because we wanted to record all of our assessment data on one system rather than using an assessment tracker alongside our MIS. A web based system is a much better option for our school because we can use it anytime with any device.
Which feature of ScholarPack do you like the most?
As the administrator I especially like the registers on ScholarPack because when I'm completing the daily checks i am able to conveniently insert a note to inform a teacher if a parent has rang to verify a child's illness then print out this information in a few simple steps. The user interface is also simple to use and the deputy head is pleased with the functions of the assessment module and the ability to create reports from this data.
In what ways has ScholarPack helped your school?
ScholarPack has benefitted our school by ensuring that all of our data is conveniently in one place. In the past as an administrator I was the sole user of our previous MIS but now all of our staff including teachers use the system on a daily basis. It has helped us to focus on tasks as a team rather than individually.
How have you found the help from the support team?
We can't fault the support team, we are able to log a ticket and a member of the team will get back to us the same day. The staff in the lower end of the school tend to telephone support which is also very efficient.
Would you recommend us?
I would if the opportunity arose.
What do you like best about ScholarPack?
ScholarPack has made keeping track of our pupils' attendance much simpler. Every morning we can see instantly which children are absent and their parents/carers can then be notified. As a result our attendance figures have improved. We have found that keeping track of dinner money, pupil contact details and texting parents are all very easy to do.
What do you think about the support from ScholarPack?
The support team have been very helpful on all occasions; if we ever have any questions about how to use a particular aspect of the system the response is always incredibly rapid.
Would you recommend ScholarPack?
Yes we would recommend ScholarPack if another primary school asked about our MIS.
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
We attended a presentation at a local school and really liked the system so we decided to switch. One of the primary reasons we decided to change to ScholarPack was the registers; all staff can now access their class register making attendance tracking effortless. The cloud based aspect of the system also benefits our school as it makes it possible to complete work from home whenever the opportunity arises.
What do you like most about ScholarPack?
We particularly like tracking the children's attendance figures so we are can formulate data and create reports based upon this information. The system is very user friendly and always updated automatically so there is no time wasting downloads to complete on a regular basis. The census caused less aggravation this time around than previously as it's much easier to complete with ScholarPack.
Do you have any specific occasions when support was notably helpful?
The support team are consistently helpful and were particularly great when it came to any questions we had with assessment. We felt that we could ask simple questions when it came to setting up new data and we really like the ease with which we can always speak to people quickly.
In what ways has ScholarPack helped your school?
ScholarPack has helped our school track all pupils' assessment information and all teachers now have access to this. Being able to check up on pupil's attendance is very useful so we can now see if any children are often late or ill and address these issues efficiently.
How long have you been using ScholarPack?
We have been using ScholarPack since January 2012.
How did you find migrating from your previous system?
I know sometimes it can be worrying switching from one system to another but we had no problems migrating at all.
Would you recommend us?
Yes I would.
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
I was new to the job and had worked with many other systems previously. In my past experience i found SIMS to be unfriendly and wanted a system that was easier to use - which is why we liked ScholarPack. I have found it to be very intuitive and simple to navigate.The cloud based aspect of the system also attracted us as it can be used anywhere, anytime.
What do you like most about ScholarPack?
I have found that the student records interface is very easy to use, it's now simple to export and import new student information quickly. We have also found that updating our Census information is straightforward saving us plenty of time. We were looking for a system that had a good student tracking system and a competent parent communication tool and ScholarPack easily ticks these boxes for us.
Do you have any specific occasions when the support team were very helpful?
The support team were notably helpful when we began setting up our classes; we were shown how to do this before yet when we commenced inputting our information at a later date we found that we had to ring ScholarPack for advice on certain stages of the process. Even though we had been shown this before, we felt comfortable asking again for clarification.
In what ways has ScholarPack helped your school?
ScholarPack has given us the ability to look at our attendance information and find useful correlations with our assessment data. There is also a readily available report for everything and finding student's information day to day has never been quicker. ScholarPack is live on my computer screen all day long meaning I can complete my duties promptly.
Would you recommend us?
Yes we have already recommended ScholarPack to a school near us.
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
We decided to choose ScholarPack because we felt that it was friendlier than our previous system SIMS. There is added versatility and it's definitely more cost effective for our school. The extra bolt ons that we previously paid for are already on ScholarPack as standard.
What do you like most about ScholarPack?
The registers are very beneficial for me as an administrator because teachers now complete their registers online in class, making my job much simpler. The Census is extremely straightforward and has been less time consuming than when I completed it using our previous system. The cloud based aspect of the system is also a bonus, I can send text messages to parents from home which is always advantageous if I run out of time at school.
How did you find migrating from your previous system?
We found moving from our previous system straightforward, everything was uploaded for us by the ScholarPack team and we were smoothly guided through the set up process.
How have you found the help from the support team?
The support team are marvellous. Their patience never falters, even though they perhaps are asked the same questions repeatedly I have never received the impression that they're tired of our phone calls.
In what ways has ScholarPack helped your school?
It has definitely helped with our school's organisation. We have been using Target Tracker for our assessment data but we have plans to begin using the assessment module on ScholarPack soon which will help us organise our data all in one place.
Would you recommend us?
Yes I would.
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
We were invited along to a presentation hosted by System I.T and as an experienced user of management information systems I had many questions, and ScholarPack were able to answer them all. Our previous system SIMS was becoming very tired which is why we were attracted to Scholarpack especially because it is modern and cloud based. There is now no laborious back-ups and the system is much more user friendly.
What do you use the most on ScholarPack?
We use the children's contact information on a daily basis and now find it much easier to simply log on and find what we need, whereas our previous system was taking far too long to load making us reach for a paper copy. We have found that text messaging to parents from the system is useful and we like that we have the option to use a pre-made report or create our own. We are in the beginning stages of inputting assessment data and feel that the reports we create from this information will prove very beneficial to our school.
How have you found the support from us?
The support from ScholarPack is ongoing and consistently very helpful, especially when we began to complete the Census. Often we don't use a particular function of the system for a while, then our memories need refreshing so we just ring up and ask.
In what ways has ScholarPack helped your school?
ScholarPack has helped us to become more organised in the office. We don't have to spend time doing back-ups and it's very quick to log on, everything is electronic now instead of paper-based.
How did you find migrating from your previous system?
We found changing over our systems absolutely fine, we received good training and quickly became accustomed to our new system. All of our data was transferred over on a Common Transfer File (CTF).
Would you recommend us?
We recently hosted an event with a demonstration from Nick and five schools attended. Nick discussed ScholarPack then I recommended the system to the other schools.
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
We chose ScholarPack when a colleague recommended the package to replace SIMS. I went to see it in action at her school and I thought it looked like a much better package.
What features of ScholarPack do you like the most?
I am really pleased with the school dinner system, and producing the termly census is so easy. The teachers now do their registers online which saves me lots of time.
How have you found the support from us?
The support from ScholarPack is really quick. The team are very helpful and you can always reach them immediately on the phone or via email. They are also really accommodating to suggestions, or improvements to make ScholarPack easier to use.
Would you recommend ScholarPack?
I would definitely recommend switching to ScholarPack.
In what ways has ScholarPack helped your school?
As the administrator I would say it's definitely much easier to complete the Census in ScholarPack than it was in our previous system, SIMS. It now takes less time to fill in all of our information providing more time for me to complete other important daily tasks. The registers and also the dinner money are now really easy to keep track of because they're all in the same area.
How have you found the support from us?
I have found the support from ScholarPack excellent. The system wasn't implemented in the school when I commenced my position so I wasn't trained by the ScholarPack team initially, as a result I do find that I use the support on many occasions and always find that they do not hesitate to help with any query.
How long have you been using ScholarPack?
The school has been using ScholarPack for around a year and a half.
Would you recommend us?
Yes we would.
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
As a small school we had to primarily think about the cost element, with a small number of children other systems were proving too expensive. The friendly display and ease of the icons was also a big factor when it came to choosing ScholarPack. The presentation we initially received far outweighed other businesses; it was professional yet friendly and the team were happy to answer any questions, which is a direct reflection of our current experience with the support team now.
What do you like most about ScholarPack?
Scholarpack has been so supportive; particularly with the required Census information that is required by the DfE. They have also helped when we needed unique reports and different requests, specific to our needs. We have found that the attendance module is very straightforward, which makes it easy to update absences and we particularly like the simplicity of the user interface and icons on the dashboard.
How have you found the support from us?
The patience from the support team is always great. The help that I received when completing the October Census first time around really benefited my confidence levels when it came to completing the Workforce Census. I could complete the Census easily knowing that ScholarPack had the report I would need. As an 'Office Manager' new to education; the team have been patient and respectful whilst walking me through some elements, which I am sure are simple to experienced operators. The system is easy to navigate and once again if you get 'lost' a support team member will lead you in the right direction.
Would you recommend us?
Yes I would.
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
We decided to sign on with ScholarPack because we found all aspects of the MIS very accessible for all staff not just the admin team. It is now much easier to train everyone simultaneously because of the intuitiveness of the system. It is much simpler to use than our previous system SIMS and more cost effective because we are a small school.
What do you like most about ScholarPack?
We decided to sign on with ScholarPack because we found all aspects of the MIS very accessible for all staff not just the admin team. It is now much easier to train everyone simultaneously because of the intuitiveness of the system. It is much simpler to use than our previous system SIMS and more cost effective because we are a small school.
Do you have any specific occasions when support was very helpful?
We have found the help from the support team particularly useful when we had to input new formats, they were especially quick at importing our individual education plans (IEPs) from our previous system so we could make use of these right away.
In what ways has ScholarPack helped your school?
All of our staff are now involved in data management, our teachers and admin work together to share out tasks which saves time for other important duties.
Would you recommend us?
Yes definitely, we have already recommended you to other admin staff in our meetings with different schools.
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
We attended a workshop at one of our local schools and particularly liked that the system is web based, from our head's point of view this is very helpful if work needs to be completed at home. Other schools in our area who were currently using ScholarPack also recommended it to us so we decided to go ahead and switch.
What do you like about ScholarPack?
I use the daily checks on the registers from day-to-day and find them very helpful. The children's contact information is also straightforward to navigate making it quick to find the information we need. The attendance reports are all in one place making the data simple for our headteacher to analyse.
In what ways has ScholarPack helped your school?
I would say that ScholarPack has helped us organise our data effectively. The headteacher prefers the assessment module side of the system as opposed to SIMS as it's all conveniently in one place.
How long have you been using ScholarPack?
We are new to ScholarPack and have been using the system since September this year (2013).
How did you find migrating from your previous system?
We found the migration process absolutely fine, the team transferred our data across over the summer holidays ready for September.
Would you recommend us?
Yes I would.
How long have you been using ScholarPack?
This is our second year using ScholarPack.
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
The system proved to be much more cost effective for our school when compared against other management information systems. We were attracted to the flexibility and also how friendly the interface is for users. ScholarPack definitely proved to be much easier to use than other systems we have previously tried because the intuitiveness makes completing tasks quick and simple.
What did you like most about ScholarPack?
Completing the Census using ScholarPack, rather than our previous MIS, has been much less time consuming and proved to be straightforward from the start. There are a wide range of different reports which are really useful and now all teachers are able to fill in the different types of absences on the register which makes my job as an administrator much easier.
What was your experience with ScholarPack’s support team?
On the occasions when I ring the support team, there is instant help available and my issues are always solved immediately. I recently completed the Workforce Census and couldn’t find a particular section so I rang the team and they managed to solve my problem in a few minutes so I was able to carry on with my task and not unnecessarily waste time.
How did you find migrating from your previous MIS?
ScholarPack made sure that changing our MIS was hassle-free. The team input all of our data and we began using ScholarPack the day after we finished using Integris. There was nothing to worry about and everything was completed before we returned back to school for a busy September.
Would you recommend ScholarPack to other schools?
Yes I would.
How long have you been using ScholarPack?
We have been using ScholarPack for around a year and a half.
Are there any specific areas of ScholarPack which you like the most?
The most important feature of ScholarPack is how user friendly it is. The software is unbelievably easy to use compared to our last provider; it is intuitive with amazing graphics. Here are just a few of the differences:
As an example, we received a set of instructions from the LEA ref pay scales and data which had to be imported if you were with other providers before you could do the workforce census - ScholarPack did all this for us! Three clicks and the census was done!
The other amazing feature of ScholarPack is that they listen to any comments and suggestions and can implement improvements to the software almost instantaneously - it really is customer driven. At the moment we are primarily using the registers, attendance and school meal areas of ScholarPack. However, there is so much more.
How have you found the support from us?
The support team are always very helpful and extremely patient. As mentioned they are on remote support without any input from our end - it is also more personal as they know who we are. I am totally confident that the team will always sort out any problems.
Would you recommend us?
As someone who really struggled with SIMS, I feel very passionately about ScholarPack. It is a modern system designed to make the storage, accessibility and retrieval of school data as ergonomic as possible. It can change and respond with unbelievable speed to meet our needs.
Where else would you find the icon for the Autumn Census a pumpkin, for January a snowman, and for May a butterfly? I rest my case!
Why did you choose ScholarPack?
ScholarPack was recommended to us by System I.T, we were previously using a very old, out-dated system called Phoenix and we felt that we needed an update to a modern and fresh system - which is why ScholarPack caught our eye. We visited an initial demonstration of the system and were primarily attracted to the simplicity.
What features of ScholarPack do you like the most?
As a member of the office team I personally like how all of the different functions are separated out, there is never any confusion with the locations of different modules, for reports I use one button and for registers I use another - simple! From the beginning I could tell that ScholarPack had been made by real people as it's very easy to understand. The dinner money has made my job so much easier, it is compliant with the audit team and I can now differentiate between cash and cheques easily.
How have you found the support from us?
The support team are always really helpful, whenever I log a ticket somebody always solves my query and even on the odd occasion when it takes a little longer, a member of the team will ensure my problem is fixed and return my call without fail. I feel that I can ring anytime and have never received the impression that I am bothering the team with my questions.
Would you recommend us?
Yes, absolutely.