How SIMS integration works
SIMS (School Information Management System, developed by Capita and now owned by Education Software Solutions) is the most widely used MIS in UK primary schools. MySchoolUpdate connects to SIMS data via Wonde — a DfE-approved data gateway that gives communication platforms read-only access to MIS data without requiring direct SIMS API credentials.
The Wonde connection means:
- Parent contact details (email addresses, mobile numbers) are pulled directly from SIMS and kept current
- Pupil year group, form group, and class data syncs automatically
- When a pupil's details change in SIMS — new contact number, new address, class move — MySchoolUpdate reflects the change without manual intervention
- New pupils admitted to the school appear in MySchoolUpdate automatically
- Leavers are removed from the active contact lists
What SIMS's built-in communication does — and does not do
SIMS includes basic parent communication functionality — email and letter templates, reports, and some SMS capability (typically via third-party SMS credits). What SIMS does not include:
- Browser push notifications to parents (the highest-engagement channel)
- A dedicated parent-facing portal for push opt-in
- Multi-channel delivery (push + email + SMS) from a single message composition interface
- Flat-rate annual pricing for unlimited messages
MySchoolUpdate adds the communication layer that SIMS does not provide — particularly browser push notifications — while reading pupil and parent data directly from SIMS via Wonde. The two systems are complementary, not competing.
Setup process for a SIMS school
Wonde authorisation (~15 minutes)
The school's SIMS administrator approves the Wonde data access request. This is done through the Wonde school portal and grants read-only access to specified data fields. No SIMS credentials are shared with MySchoolUpdate.
Initial data sync (~15 minutes)
Once Wonde access is authorised, MySchoolUpdate performs the initial sync of parent contacts, pupil records, year groups, forms, and class data from SIMS. For a 500-pupil school this typically takes under 10 minutes.
Account configuration and templates (1–2 hours)
School branding, message templates, and staff access levels are configured. The MySchoolUpdate onboarding team assists with this during the first session.
First parent campaign — push opt-in invite
The first message to parents introduces MySchoolUpdate and invites push notification opt-in. Sent via email (from the SIMS contact data) and SMS to maximise initial reach.
Frequently asked questions
Does MySchoolUpdate work with SIMS MIS?
Yes. MySchoolUpdate integrates with SIMS via Wonde. Parent contacts, year groups, forms, and class data sync automatically. Setup takes approximately 30 minutes for the technical integration.
Do we have to stop using SIMS if we subscribe to MySchoolUpdate?
No. MySchoolUpdate sits alongside SIMS. SIMS continues as your system of record for pupil data, attendance, and assessment. MySchoolUpdate uses read-only SIMS data to power parent communication. The two systems operate independently.
What SIMS data does Wonde access?
Wonde accesses: pupil names and identifiers, parent/carer contact details (email, phone, mobile), year group, form group, and class assignments. Wonde does not access assessment data, attendance records, SEN details, or financial data unless explicitly authorised for specific use cases.
SIMS school? Set up in 30 minutes.
The Wonde integration with SIMS is straightforward and takes less than an hour to configure. Book a demo to see exactly what the setup looks like for your school.
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