Three easy steps to gain control of your MAT and School data

All the data that you collect and hold should be helping you to improve the educational experience and outcomes of your pupils.  However, as we all know, that doesn’t always happen. The reality can be far different.

In fact, many MAT and academy leaders feel that instead of data helping them, they are often hindered by having far too much of it; confused further by it sometimes being out of date or showing conflicting information. 

So how can you control and manage your data?

There are THREE key steps that you need to take to regain control of your data and turn it into intelligence to help you run your MAT and academies more effectively. 

Click below to read full details ...

For those of you short of time, here is a summary:

1. Set a Data Vision: This will help you to decide how you aspire to use your data – what you must report, what you need as a bare minimum and what you really want from your data e.g. helping you to identify expertise and any areas needing possible interventions.
2. Do a Data Audit: You know how you wish to use your data, now you need to develop an understanding of your current reality. How do you currently capture, collect, surface, and analyse data? You are probably already aware of some of the pinch points but you really need to consider the data ‘journey’.
   

3. Close the Data Gap: Is there a difference between your desired state and current reality? If so, draw up an action plan and make a commitment to implement actions to close this gap. Develop a culture of using data effectively, not just collecting it.

Your action plan should be distilled into a project plan with clear aims, activities, roles and responsibilities.  Set specific aims that can be measured and are time bound.  This will help with the capture, surfacing and analysis of your data.  

Finally, some of you might have read Joshua Perry's article 'At last, MATs are driving the innovation in EdTech' in School's Week.  Here, Questa  (Novatia's specialist 'MAT-first' data analytics) were signposted as leading the way. Click here to take a look at our product sheet.

If you would like to discuss Questa, or any of our Education ICT services please get in touch on either 01962 832632 or by emailing info@novatia.com. Alternatively you can book a Questa demo via our website.