SIMS Next Generation: The Cloud-Ready MIS Schools Have Been Waiting For

Faster workflows, mobile access, lower IT costs, see what SIMS Next Gen brings to your staff right now.

Parent Pay’s SIMS Next Generation is rolling out, and early adopters are already reporting lighter admin loads and happier teachers. Here’s the quick-hit rundown you can drop straight into your planning meeting.

1) What’s New?

2) Why You’ll Care

• Save Hours – Registers, behaviour logs and assessments load in seconds.
• Cut IT Spend – No on-prem servers, patching or backup worries.
• Stay Secure – Enterprise-grade data protection and automatic compliance updates.
• See Everything – Real-time attendance, safeguarding flags and progress trends on one screen.

3) Is It Ready?

Yes, for the core jobs.
Attendance, behaviour and assessments are live. Reporting, communications and finance modules are next on the roadmap. Use Next Gen alongside classic SIMS until the pieces you need are switched on.

4) Next Steps for Your School

1. Book a demo with your SIMS support unit.
2. Map must-have features—check which ones are live now.
3. Pick a pilot group (e.g. one year group or department).
4. Run both systems in parallel for a half-term and collect feedback.

Quick Win Tip

Start teachers on the mobile register first. It’s instantly faster than the desktop version and proves the value in one lesson.

Need More Info?

Contact your Service support unit (SSU) to book a demonstration and we can answer any questions you may have.

SIMS Next Generation: What Schools Need to Know

SIMS Next Generation isn’t just an upgrade — it’s a fundamental shift in how schools manage data, streamline workflows, and support student outcomes. Parent Pay (ESS) has reimagined the School Information Management System (SIMS) for a cloud-first, mobile-enabled world. If your school still relies on legacy systems, it’s time to pay attention.

What Is SIMS Next Generation?

SIMS Next Generation is the modern successor to the traditional SIMS software. Built from the ground up for the cloud, it’s designed to fix the frustrations that educators, administrators, and IT teams have dealt with for years — from clunky interfaces to lack of access on mobile devices.

Key Features:

• Cloud-based access – No more installing software on individual machines or managing local servers.
• Modern UI/UX – Clean, intuitive dashboards and navigation.
• Mobile-first – Use it on tablets and smartphones, not just desktops.
• Modular rollouts – Schools get new features incrementally, reducing disruption.
• Enhanced security – Enterprise-grade data protection, updates managed by Capita.

Why It Matters

Schools are under pressure to do more with less. Administrative overhead keeps growing, and outdated tech is a bottleneck. SIMS Next Gen tackles this with faster performance, smarter automation, and better usability.

For teachers, it means quicker access to registers, behaviour logs, and assessment data — often from their phone or tablet. For office staff, it's about reducing manual data entry and pulling reports with a few clicks instead of wrangling spreadsheets. For leadership teams, it's real-time visibility into attendance, safeguarding alerts, and progress tracking.

Is It Ready for Prime Time?

Yes — and no.

ESS is rolling out SIMS Next Generation gradually. Some features (like attendance, behaviour, census and assessments) are already live for early adopters. Others are in active development. This phased approach means schools can move at their own pace, using SIMS Next Gen alongside classic SIMS during the transition.

Should Your School Switch?

If you're:

• Frustrated with slow, legacy SIMS performance
• Looking to reduce IT costs tied to on-prem infrastructure
• Eager to empower staff with mobile tools
• Ready to future-proof your MIS investment

…then yes, it’s worth seriously exploring.

But timing matters. Talk to your SIMS support unit to check feature availability and timelines.

Get in Touch

To learn more about MIS support with SBS, contact us for a consultation.

We also offer MIS training programmes for SIMS, Arbor and Bromcom packages.

Contact us

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