SchoolBase MIS – Customisations to Improve Usability

Does your school’s MIS allow flexibility in how the modules are used? If not, it’s likely that the simplest of tasks will demand more time and resource than should be required.  Fear not as with SchoolBase, those woes are eliminated!  

Being able to customise your MIS software is a brilliant way of helping teams work together more collaboratively. In this article, we have shared examples of previously completed customisations that have helped schools use SchoolBase as a fit for purpose MIS.  

SchoolBase Most Popular Customisations 

Being able to help our schools and college use the SchoolBase software in the same way as a custom-built tool is important to us. This means that users get all the benefits of a bespoke platform but with the support of a professional team behind them.  

As our MIS supports everything from managing daybooks to organising extra-curricular activities, there are many ways the platform can be customised. Below are a few examples of requests we have received and supported in the past.  

Custom Enquiry Forms 

Having a reliable contact form is essential for facilitating enquiries relating to prospective students. By ensuring the information is gathered, data can be used more effectively from day one.  With SchoolBase, the content from an enquiry form is then securely stored within the cloud-based servers. 

Some examples of customisations we have supported for enquiry forms are as follows: 

• Unique styling and bespoke visual identity 

• Options to include different numbers of children from single applications to multiple students 

• Highlighting different course choices 

• Selection of suitable languages which can be automatically applied for different browser settings 

New Prospect Import 

Our team of in-house developers are also able to create unique SQL code to support a range of processes. One example is having a code that allows new parents and students to import directly into the SchoolBase system.  

This is ideal for schools that have a mix of gathering data sources plus ones that have various campuses as a transparent view of real-time information is important.  

Development Office Functionality 

Managing a development office in-house is an important consideration for many schools. This functionality ensures schools can manage tasks such as fundraising campaigns and supporting alumni with internal resources.   

To make this possible, our team can create custom searching and reporting options, in this and other areas, using your choice of fields and views to filter, report, and even communicate in a mail merge.

Emergency Contact Management 

Another consideration that schools must factor into pupil support is the variety of family configurations. For students that have separated parents, we have provided customisations which ensure each adult can only see their own record in the parent portal when updating contact details. This is particularly important in the instance of acrimonious splits such as when legal intervention is in place.  

Adding this customisation means that parents can update emergency contact details using additional questions chosen by the school. This data is then transferred automatically to a separate emergency contact adult record so that information is never shared without permission. By doing this, it’s also easier for schools to access the contact fields rapidly when required.  

Custom Email Tasks 

Improving staff efficiency is also a key purpose of SchoolBase. One way this is achieved is via customised email tasks which can be configured to send automatic updates when certain conditions are met, or at regular times such as daily or weekly. 

Examples include being able to notify staff of recent rewards, sanctions and daybook entries.  Not only does this keep all staff in the loop but ensures that SLT’s are not spending all their time on these timely admin duties.