SIMS Training Courses

In January 2024 Education Digital Services became the SIMS training team for Lancashire schools. We also offer SIMS training to schools outside of Lancashire.

Our dedicated team of SIMS experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience and will help you get more from SIMS.

Our SIMS training courses will guide you and your staff in how to use SIMS, to support the day to day running of your school.

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 22 January 2025

Wednesday 30 April 2025

Overview for Headteachers - What SIMS can do for your school

This half day course aims to show the best practice use of SIMS to leverage maximum return of investment.  

Attendance

Managing Attendance in SIMS - Including Power BI

This full day course is an Overview of SIMS Reporting and includes and introduction to Power BI reports.

Wednesday 26 February 2025

Wednesday 11 June 2025

Managing Attendance in SIMS

This half day course would be most suitable for an attendance officer, attendance leads either from SLT or within school. It is aimed at new and current staff.

Tuesday 21 January 2025

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. 

Wednesday 29 January 2025 

Wednesday 18 June 2025

Understanding Primary Assessment Resources in SIMS

This full day course would be most suitable for Senior Leaders or those with a responsibility for whole school assessment.

Thursday 5 June 2025

Early Years and Key Stage Assessment

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 5 June 2025 - Half day AM

Thursday 5 June 2025 - Half day PM

Census

School Census Training 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 Head Teacher.

Monday 24 March 2025 – Half Day AM

Monday 24 March 2025 – Half Day PM

Examinations

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

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

Thursday 3 July 2025 

Managing External & Mock Exams in SIMS Exams Organiser

This full day course is for Exam officers who are responsible for handling external examination results. 

Thursday 9 January 2025

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 8 January 2025

Friday 28 February 2025

Wednesday 2 April 2025

Wednesday 7 May 2025

Finance 6 Overview for Senior Leaders – Primary

This half day course provides an overview of SIMS Finance 6.

Thursday 23 January 2025

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.

Wednesday 19 March 2025

Wednesday 26 March 2025

Thursday 12 June 2025

Close the Financial Year in Finance 6 (FMS)

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

Tuesday 11 March 2025

Thursday 1 May 2025

Nova T

Curriculum Management using Nova T (2 days)

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

Wednesday 5 February 2025 (Day 1)

Wednesday 12 February 2025 (Day 2)

Wednesday 5 March 2025 (Day 1)

Wednesday 12 March 2025 (Day 2)

Thursday 27 March 2025 (Day 1)

Thursday 3 April 2025 (Day 2)

Personnel

Cover management

This full day course is for staff involved in the cover process. Learn how to manage your cover effectively while keeping your staff records up-to-date.

Personnel in SIMS - Including Contracts

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

Thursday 6 February 2025

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.

Monday 24 February 2025

Wednesday 4 June 2025

Extended Reporting in SIMS

This half day course is for staff who are responsible for responding to requests for information. You are advised to attend the Standard Reporting course prior to attending this course or be familiar with the techniques covered in the course.

Monday 3 March 2025

Wednesday 2 July 2025

Primary Year End

SIMS Primary Year End & Housekeeping

This full 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. 

Thursday 8 May 2025

Wednesday 25 June 2025

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. 

Thursday 20 March 2025

Wednesday 21 May 2025

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.

More training events will be announced soon via the Lancashire Schools' Portal and our website, so keep a look out for the details!