KS2 Results - Issue with download file - Update 08/07/2022

It has been discovered that there is an issue when downloading KS2 results from the Primary Assessment Gateway website as the DfE filename format appears to be incorrect. Please see the following information that has been published on the ESS SIMS website:

05/07/2022

ESS Guidance:

You should not rename a CTF file yourself.

It appears the DFE have incorrectly named the Files which is why it does not appear for import or will not import.

The file name should be DfENumber_KS2_DfENumber. We do not recommend changing this yourself as the file can become corrupt.

You need to contact the DFE and request a new file with the correct name.

Communication from the ESS SIMS 7 Product Manager:

05/07/2022

Good Afternoon,

I have reached out to our contacts at the DfE surrounding the reported issues with the file header / supplier tags above, who have assured me this is currently being investigated and is not local to SIMS itself. As soon as further information has been made available I will be sure to keep this thread updated.

Many thanks,

06/07/2022

Good Morning All,

Unfortunately there has been no further update provided by our contacts at the DfE as yet, although I can assure you I am still chasing this and will update as soon as I have further information.

Many thanks,

Update 07/07/2022

Please see below update published on the ESS SIMS website this morning:

07/07/2022 at 10:00 - Issues Importing Key Stage 2 Results

We have been made aware of a number of issues importing the Key Stage 2 results obtained from the Pupil Assessment Gateway into SIMS. The issues that have been raised surround but are not limited to; incorrect filenames, CTF version numbers and incorrect content within the downloaded files. We are currently liaising with colleagues at the DfE and Pupil Assessment Gateway to understand when there will likely be a resolution to these issues. We are aware in some cases users have amended the filenames themselves to import, this is not a process we would recommend due to the potential of corrupting the file itself.   

Update 08/07/2022

Please see below update issued yesterday afternoon by the ESS SIMS7 Product Manager:

Good afternoon all,

Further to our requests for a solution from the DfE & Pupil Assessment Gateway to resolve the current Key Stage 2 file import issues, we understand that they are currently testing and verifying a potential fix before communicating out to schools. As soon as we hear more we will let you know. In the meantime our advice remains to wait for this solution to become available.

SIMS User Group Meeting - 7th July 2022 - CANCELLED

SIMS User Group Meeting

Date:    Thursday 7th July 2022

Time:    2.30 pm - 4.00 pm

Venue: St Martin’s Primary School, Rowan Road, West Drayton UB7 7UF (Tel: 01895 717701)

The SimsforSchools team would like to invite you to join us for our next user group meeting where we will give an update on new and planned developments in SIMS. We would also welcome any SIMS related topics that you would like us to cover during the session.  Please forward any suggestions to the SimsforSchool team and we will endeavour to include these on the meeting agenda.

We look forward to seeing you at this terms session.

Refreshments will be provided.

**If you are planning to attend this meeting, can you please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as confirmation**

CORRECTION: Key Stage Returns Submission Dates

Please see below the correct dates for the Key Stage Returns submission deadline date as stated in the LA's letter to the Headteachers:

EYFS Submission Deadline via S2S: Thursday 30th June 2022

Year 1 & Year 2 Phonics Submission Deadline via S2S: Tuesday 28th June 2022

Key Stage 1 Submission Deadline via S2S: Tuesday 28th June 2022

Key Stage 2 Submission Deadline via Primary Assessment Gateway: Tuesday 28th June 2022

The Key Stage notes have been updated to reflect the correct dates and you can download the notes by logging into the website, then click Categories | Assessment & Key Stage.

The Key Stage 2 completion notes have been uploaded to our website as well. We could not retrieve screenshots for the Primary Assessment Gateway. If we do gain the screenshots we will upload them to our website.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused by our error.

Thank you.

Secondary End of Year Procedures - 2022

Please login and select Categories to access the Secondary area to download the End of Year Procedures guidelines for transitioning from the 2021/2022 to the 2022/2023 academic year.

Primary End of Year Procedures - 2022

Please login and select Categories to access the End of Year Procedures area to download the Primary guidelines for transitioning from the 2021/2022 to the 2022/2023 academic year.

School Census Collection Dates - Academic Year 2022/2023

School Census collection dates for academic year 2022/2023 are:

Autumn Term:   Thursday 6th October 2022

Spring Term:     Thursday 19th January 2023

Summer Term:  Thursday 18th May 2023

Key Stage Presentation and Guidance Notes 2022

Please click here to download the presentation slides from yesterday's Key Stage Presentation delivered via Microsoft Teams.

The EYFS Revised Profile 2022, Year 1 & Year 2 Phonics Screening 2022 and Key Stage 1 2022 guidance notes have been uploaded to our webiste ready for you to download. Please login into our website and then click on Categories followed by Assessment & Key Stage.

The Key Stage 2 2022 guidance notes will be uploaded next week as we are trying to gain screenshots of the new Primary Assessment Gateway which replaced NCA Tools service.

Additionally to the guidance notes, please find below further DfE guidances for Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and Year 4 Mutilplication Tables Check:

Key Stage 1 Assessment and Reporting Arrangements 2022 DfE Guidance

Key Stage 1 Test Administration 2022 DfE Guidance

Key Stage 2 Assessment and Reporting Arrangements 2022 DfE Guidance

Key Stage 2 Test Administration 2022 DfE Guidance

Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check Administration DfE Guidance

Any queries please do not hesitate in contacting our helpdesk.

SIMS Newsletter - April 2022

Please click hereto access the April 2022 issue of the SIMS Newsletter

SIMS User Group Meeting Presentation Slides - 24th March 2022

Please click here to access the presentation slides from the SIMS User Group Meeting held on Thursday 24th March 2022.

SIMSforSchools Admin Network Meeting Presentation Slides

Please click here to download the SIMSforSchools presentation slides from the recent Admin Network Meeting on Wednesday 2nd March 2022.

Any queries on the content of the slides please do not hesitate to contact our helpdesk.

Thank you.