What should a Management Information System (MIS) truly be? If you see it as just an administrative tool, we’d love to share our story and show you how, at Compass, we believe it can be so much more. We believe an MIS should be the beating heart of a school, driving productivity, impact, and joy.
Too often, Management Information Systems are viewed as the realm of administration, a behind-the-scenes workhorse that keeps things running smoothly. But what if we thought bigger? What if we reimagined MIS as a force that shapes the entire school experience, enhancing learning, supporting teachers, and empowering leaders?
In a dynamic Show and Tell presentation at Bett 2025, our General Manager, Peter Collison, took the stage to discuss the transformative power of Compass and how it is reshaping school life. “We have a responsibility to think more widely about what an MIS can do,” he urged. Pete explored how Compass is more than just an administrative tool – it is a solution designed to create more productive, more impactful, and more enjoyable school experiences.
Following Pete, Matthew Parslow-Williams, Headteacher at Heathersett Primary in Norfolk, shared his first-hand experiences of how Compass has revolutionised his school’s operations. From reducing teacher workload to improving staff wellbeing and streamlining reporting, Matt shared the tangible impact of an MIS designed with schools in mind.
The Power of an MIS Beyond Admin
“A school doesn’t exist to be good at admin. It exists to create and deliver inspiring learning experiences for its pupils.” These words from Pete, a leader at Compass, highlight a fundamental truth. When we shift our perspective and place learning at the centre of our decision-making, we begin to see how an MIS can serve not just administration but the very mission of a school.
That’s exactly what Matt discovered when his school introduced Compass. With 300 pupils and a passionate team of educators, he needed a system that aligned with his school’s values, not just one that handled data, but one that genuinely supported learning, wellbeing, and community engagement.
Designed for Pupils, Built for Success
From day one, Compass was built with the pupil in mind. “Everything wraps around that single identity of the pupil,” Pete explained, “giving visibility to all the people that interact with that pupil during the day – whether you’re a lunchtime controller, a teacher, or a school leader.” With over 3,500 schools globally benefiting from its design, Compass provides:
With holistic visibility, seamless communication, and data-driven decision-making, an MIS like Compass enables educators to create the best possible environment for students.
Empowering Teachers, Elevating Education
Teachers are the backbone of any school, and their wellbeing directly impacts student success. For Matt, making sure his staff felt supported was a top priority. “Staffing is our most expensive resource,” he shared. “We need to make sure our staff are happy, well-balanced, and ready to work.”
With Compass, daily tasks are simplified through automating workflows, significantly reducing administrative burden. This gives teachers more time for personalised student support and meaningful classroom interactions. Plus, with real-time insights into student attendance and wellbeing, they proactively support those who need it most, ensuring that no child is overlooked.
Built to fit seamlessly into school life, Compass is as intuitive as it is powerful. It reduces school workload and provides essential insights that enable teachers and staff to be more present, engaged, and effective in their classrooms.
“When we put Compass in place,” Matthew reflects, “we enabled our staff to be the happiest they could be. And when staff are happy, they can give their best to our pupils.”
Beyond the Classroom: Connecting Schools and Families
Education doesn’t stop at the school gates. A child’s learning experience extends far beyond the classroom, and engaging parents in that journey is crucial. Pete emphasised this point: “A lot of learning is unlocked outside the school walls. Bringing pupils and parents into that ecosystem is critical.”
Compass’s ParentApp makes this connection seamless by transforming school-parent communication into an engaging, two-way dialogue. Parents receive real-time updates on attendance, wellbeing, and achievements, ensuring they stay informed and involved. By strengthening this partnership, Compass extends learning beyond the classroom, enabling parents to actively support their child’s educational journey. When schools and families work together, students thrive, both in school and beyond. This is what we strive to do every day.
Leadership and the Power of Good Decisions
Great leadership is about bringing people together, fostering collaboration, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. For Matthew, leadership is about making good decisions every day. When his son asked him what makes a great leader, his response was simple: “It’s about making good decisions for the people you serve.”
“I judge myself on the decisions I make,” he told his son. “One of the best decisions I made as a leader was ensuring my staff had the right tools to support their work. Choosing Compass wasn’t just about getting an MIS – it was about selecting a tool that would empower my staff, support my pupils, and engage my wider school community.”
Compass empowers school leaders to be the visionary leaders they have always aspired to be, uniting their entire school community through effortless communication, seamless operations, and enhanced productivity. With a system that keeps everything running smoothly, leaders can shift their focus from managing tasks to inspiring their teams, supporting their students, and engaging with parents. More importantly, Compass helps leaders cultivate schools that are not just efficient but truly enjoyable places to learn and work, where wellbeing, engagement, and success go hand in hand.
A Future of Thriving Schools
Schools thrive when they have the right tools to support their mission. “We have a responsibility to think more widely about what an MIS can do,” Pete urged. Schools deserve a system that enhances learning, improves wellbeing, and brings everyone – staff, pupils, and parents – together. With Compass, schools aren’t just managing information; they’re unlocking potential.
As educators, leaders, and guardians, we all have the power to make decisions that shape the future of education. The question is – how wide are we willing to think?
Let’s rethink what an MIS can be. Let’s build schools where learning thrives.
Are you ready to make the switch?
For all MIS needs and support in implementing strategies in your schools, reach out to Compass Education. Our team of experts can provide tailored solutions to help your school create a nurturing and supportive environment for student success.
