SIMS Training Courses

Education Digital Services is the SIMS training team for Lancashire schools and beyond.
Our expert team will help you get more from SIMS, guiding you and your staff in its daily use.

Introduction to SIMS

New to School - Getting started with SIMS

This full day course is aimed at new users of SIMS in the school office, new recruits or staff with new responsibilities in school.

Wednesday 10 June 2026

Tuesday 8 September 2026

Tuesday 22 September 2026

Wednesday 18 November 2026

Introduction to SIMS Next Gen

Getting Started with SIMS Next Gen

This half-day course is aimed at new users of SIMS Next Gen.

Tuesday 12 May 2026

Wednesday 7 October 2026

Wednesday 14 October 2026

Thursday 12 November 2026

Tuesday 17 November 2026

Assessment

SIMS Assessment Manager - Essential Skills Secondary Schools

This full day course is for Senior Leaders, Assessment Co-ordinators or staff with responsibility for the assessment process. 

More dates to come

Attendance

Managing Attendance in SIMS - Including Power BI

This full day course will give you an overview of SIMS Power BI attendance reports.

Wednesday 13 May 2026

Census (SIMS Next Gen)

School Census Training in SIMS for Primary Schools

This half day course is aimed at those wishing to explore Census tasks in SIMS Next Gen ready for the transition from SIMS 7.

For Secondary's, PRU's, and Special Schools, please contact the School Applications Team on 0300 123 6797, Option 3, to discuss your requirements.

Thursday 10 September 2026 (AM)

Wednesday 25 November 2026 (AM)

Census (SIMS 7)

School Census Training in SIMS for Primary Schools

This half day course is aimed at new and existing users of SIMS who have responsibility for completing the School Census on behalf of the Headteacher.

For Secondary's, PRU's, and Special Schools, please contact the School Applications Team on 0300 123 6797, Option 3, to discuss your requirements.

Wednesday 16 September 2026 (AM)

Early Years

Early Years and Key Stage 

This half-day course is most suited for those with a responsibility for submitting and/or analysing Key Stage Assessments working in roles such as Assessment Lead Teachers, Senior Leaders, Bursars, Office Managers, and Administrators. 

Thursday 14 May 2026

Examinations

Exams - Results Phase (Exams - Importing Results and Reporting)

This full day course is for Exam Officers responsible for handling external examination results.

Wednesday 1 July 2026

Finance (FMS)

New to School - Getting started with SIMS Finance 6 (FMS)

This full day course aims to get you up to speed on the daily tasks within Finance 6.

Wednesday 3 June 2026

Thursday 2 July 2026

Wednesday 9 September 2026

Wednesday 23 September 2026

Tuesday 24 November 2026

Budget Management in SIMS Finance 6 (FMS)

This full day course explores the budget management functionality present within Finance 6 and explains how to use this functionality to actively manage the school budget.

Tuesday 9 June 2026

Thursday 17 September 2026

Tuesday 6 October 2026

Close the Financial Year in Finance 6 (FMS)

This half day course is aimed at existing FMS users involved with the financial year-end.

Finance 6 (FMS) Equipment Register (Asset Management)

This half day course aims to get you up to speed on the daily tasks within Equipment Register.

Wednesday 24 June 2026

Thursday 15 October 2026

Finance 6 Overview for Senior Leaders – Primary

This course provides an overview of SIMS Finance 6 and is aimed at Primary headteachers and senior leaders.

Tuesday 20 October 2026

Nova T

Curriculum Management using Nova T (2 days)

More dates to come

This two day course is for staff with responsibility for constructing and maintaining the timetable and with some prior knowledge of timetable principles.

Personnel

Personnel in SIMS - Including Contracts

This full day course is for staff with responsibility for updating and maintaining personal, professional and contractual information of staff in SIMS.

Wednesday 28 October 2026

Primary Year End

SIMS Primary Year End

This half-day course has been designed for users whose responsibility it is to prepare SIMS for each new Academic Year. Participants will learn how to complete the required processes for the current Year End and how to prepare SIMS for the new Academic Year. 

Wednesday 17 June 2026

Reporting

Standard Reporting in SIMS

This full day course is for staff to learn how to respond to requests for information efficiently, including reports, making your school processes more streamlined.

Thursday 29 October 2026

Special Education

SIMS Special Educational Needs

This half day course is for SENCOs and senior staff with responsibility for overseeing special needs provision and administrative staff who may be involved in maintaining SEND information. 

Wednesday 11 November 2026

If the training you are looking for is not listed, please email educationdigitalservices@lancashire.gov.uk with your details. A member of the School Applications Team will contact you directly to discuss your requirements.