Guidance

Choosing a school management information system (MIS)

An appropriate MIS can have a clear impact on pupil outcomes and staff workload.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 13 July 2022
• Last updated: 17 July 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 17 July 2026

     Added 'Core Principles for school MIS procurement' and 'How to use the MIS Core Principles'.

  2. 6 March 2025

     We have replaced' Benefits of a fit for purpose management information system (MIS)' with 'Commercial considerations when choosing a management information system (MIS)'.

  3. 15 May 2024

     Removed MIS comparison table and disclaimer, while the content is updated.

  4. 20 March 2023

     Updated MIS comparison table to include an additional supplier returning census data.

  5. 13 October 2022

     Updated the comparison table with additional information for each supplier.

  6. 20 July 2022

     Updated the comparison table with details of additional suppliers.

  7. 13 July 2022

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Commercial considerations when choosing a management information system (MIS)

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Core Principles for school MIS procurement

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How to use the MIS Core Principles

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Details

Choosing the right management information system (MIS) has the potential to make a huge difference to the effective running of a school, and to the workload of the staff who need to use it.