Phoenix e¹
Why do we need a new system?
The information needs of all schools and of Highland Council have become increasingly more complex. We need a managment information system that can support our requirements into the future. e¹ is web-based rather than being run on each school’s local system. This enables anywhere, anytime secure access from outside school – from any device that can access the internet via a true browser, by anyone who is given permission. Within the school, it can also be accessed from any computer connected to the internet. This now means that users can get information that is as up-to-date as possible (in real time).
What is the benefit of a single pupil record?
e¹ has a single record for each pupil so that there is no need to update information for each pupil in various parts of the system as there is with Phoenix Gold. Since it is an integrated system, it also makes it far easier to transfer pupils between schools (Primary-Secondary transition, new entrants, leavers).
How does e¹ develop?
e¹ is being developed constantly to cover all kinds of school functions. These developments and updates are easier to roll out in a web-based system because the change can be made for everyone at one time rather than loading updates at each school. The changes are controlled as various set releases in order to minimise disruption. Schools may find that this can mean that the system might have issues that need to be fixed or new features that need to be learned. It is all part of a constantly improving system.
Benefits of e¹
How will e¹ help the school office to become more efficient?
Information on pupils will be able to be accessed quickly by those who require it rather than having to wait for office staff to prepare paper reports where they are not always required. In the long term, e¹ will hopefully reduce paper use and help save some essential office space as well as archive storage problems. Once non-office staff are trained to use e¹, we will find that it can be used in a multitude of ways to make the school run more efficiently and effectively, certainly from an office point of view.
What will e¹ cost my school?
The costs of Phoenix e¹ will be covered by thethe ECS Service. Unlike the licensing system for Gold, the e¹ contract will provide full access to all of the software for all schools. Previously, this was not affordable for ECS in relation to primary schools.
In order to provide access to Phoenix Gold for all teaching staff, ECS would have needed to to purchase a Fujitsu machine for them under the current corporate ICT contract. Since e¹ is web-based, it can be accessed from curriculum PCs without this extra cost. It will also enable data to be available for “central users” in ECS Area and pan-Highland Offices. This is necessary for key statutory functions and returns.
Will e¹ save money?
e¹ is being developed constantly and can cover all kinds of agreed functions for schools. By developing “functional requirements” in the e¹ Project it is planned that schools will be able to move away from the “third-party” products that they have developed or purchased e.g. PiSYS. These savings can be redirected to support other aspects of the school as a consequence. There is also a saving for the Service because there will be no need to provide and maintain the Phoenix server system in each school or school group.
How will e¹ support Getting it Right for Every Child?
GIRFEC requires practitioners to share information as needed to deliver appropriate, proportional and timely help. IT solutions such as e¹ enable the secure and timely sharing of information. Social Work’s CareFirst system is due to be connected to the National Framework within the next few months. Once a viewer is implemented in e¹, it will be possible for Headteachers or other named persons to view a Social Work Child’s Plan electronically. Later developments will make it possible for a Child’s Plan to be created in e¹ and shared.
Implementation
Will class teachers be trained on e¹?
There are plans to extend e¹ access to class teachers and deliver some training in the session 2010/11. In the meantime, if schools wish to give training to class teachers themselves on logging in and performing basic functions there are worksheets that would support this. The worksheets are available under ‘Guidance for Teachers’ at the Phoenix e¹ User Support Site on the Council Intranet which can be accessed from the A-Z Index. In this case schools must, however, ensure that teachers are well aware of the security issues relating to use of the system as outlined in the Data Handling Admin Circular.
Where do I submit suggestions for improving e¹?
We are very keen to receive suggestions from those using e¹ on an everyday basis. We want to make sure that the system can meet all our needs and support increased efficiency. Once you are familiar with the system, you may find it helpful to keep a note of improvements that you think of as you use it. You can then email them to anyone on the team or use the online form on the website. We can then discuss them with Pearson.