The Department for Education (DfE) has announced plans to introduce a new national framework for Management Information Systems (MIS), with the aim of making it easier for schools and trusts to procure, manage and switch MIS platforms.
At WhichMIS?, we welcome the ambition behind this initiative. The MIS market has evolved significantly over recent years, and schools increasingly need confidence that they can select systems that meet their operational needs while retaining the ability to move providers when circumstances change.
A well-designed framework has the potential to improve transparency, simplify procurement and help schools make more informed decisions.
However, it is important that the introduction of a new DfE MIS framework does not unintentionally reduce choice by becoming the only route available to schools and trusts.
Making MIS procurement easier
The DfE’s proposals recognise many of the challenges schools face when selecting and changing MIS suppliers.
The proposed framework is expected to address areas including:
- cloud-based MIS solutions
- data ownership and portability
- interoperability and APIs
- transparent pricing
- contract terms
- transition and exit arrangements
These are all areas that have historically created uncertainty for schools.
In particular, improving data portability and making it easier for schools to move between MIS suppliers is a positive step. Schools and trusts should be able to choose the system that best meets their needs, without being constrained by unnecessary technical or contractual barriers.
The ability to change MIS provider should be viewed as a healthy part of a competitive market.
The importance of an open and competitive market
While the objectives of the DfE framework are welcome, it is important that schools retain access to a range of procurement routes.
Schools already have established options for purchasing technology solutions through approved frameworks such as EverythingICT and Procurement Plus as well as the government’s own Government Commercial Agency, formerly CCS (Crown Commercial Services) which operates the G-Cloud Framework.
DfE has stated that the intention is for all MIS procurement to go via the DfE framework route and we’re concerned about the potential detrimental effect this will have on the established frameworks who will lose all their MIS procurement business going forwards.
“We will be making amendments to the Academy Trust Handbook from September 2027 to state that Trusts are expected to use this DfE MIS framework…”
Different frameworks can provide access to different suppliers, different procurement models and different approaches to evaluating solutions.
This matters because not every MIS supplier is available through every framework.
The choice of MIS is not simply a technology purchase. It is a strategic decision that affects almost every aspect of school operations, including:
- pupil records
- attendance
- behaviour management
- assessment
- reporting
- statutory returns
- parental engagement
- integrations with other education systems
The procurement process therefore needs to recognise the specialist nature of MIS.
The risk of too many responses
There is also a practical consideration around the procurement process itself.
If all MIS providers are included on a single national framework and all are therefore able to respond to every school or trust further competition procurement there is a risk that the number of responses generated could become unmanageable.
A typical MIS procurement exercise already requires schools to carefully evaluate a wide range of factors, including functionality, usability, implementation approach, support arrangements, integration capability and total cost of ownership.
If every approved MIS supplier responds to every competitive opportunity, schools and trusts may find themselves reviewing a large number of detailed submissions, many of which may not be the right fit for their specific circumstances.
This could unintentionally increase the workload for schools rather than reducing it.
Frameworks work best when they help buyers identify suitable suppliers quickly. This may mean considering approaches such as clearer supplier categorisation, specialisms, minimum requirements, structured shortlisting or other mechanisms that help schools focus on the solutions most relevant to their needs.
Avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach
The MIS market includes a wide range of suppliers, from long-established providers supporting thousands of schools, through to newer platforms bringing innovation and alternative approaches.
Schools and trusts vary significantly in their requirements.
A small primary school, a large secondary school and a multi-academy trust may all need different things from an MIS.
The procurement process should therefore allow buyers to consider factors such as:
- the size and complexity of the organisation
- existing systems and integrations
- future growth plans
- implementation support
- supplier experience
- value for money
A national framework should help schools make better decisions — not replace the need for those decisions.
The Data Spine ambition — and the importance of trust
One of the stated ambitions behind the DfE’s MIS work is to help pave the way for a more joined-up education data environment — sometimes referred to as a “Data Spine” — providing the sector and government with access to more timely, consistent and standardised information.
There is a strong case for improving the way education data is collected and used.
Better quality, more consistent data could support schools, trusts and policymakers by reducing duplication, improving insight and helping identify trends more quickly. For schools, greater interoperability between systems could also reduce administrative burdens and allow information to flow more effectively between the platforms they rely on.
However, this ambition also highlights why the MIS market needs to remain open and competitive.
An MIS sits at the heart of a school’s operations and holds some of its most important data. Any move towards greater standardisation and connectivity must be built on trust, with clear principles around data ownership, security, transparency and appropriate use.
The ability for schools and trusts to choose the MIS platform that best meets their needs should remain central. A national data infrastructure should be achieved through strong standards and interoperability, rather than by unintentionally narrowing the range of suppliers available to schools.
The success of a future Data Spine will depend not only on access to data, but on confidence across the education sector that the systems supporting it are secure, flexible and designed around the needs of schools.
A framework should support choice, not restrict it
The DfE’s work represents an opportunity to improve MIS procurement across the sector.
The principles behind the proposal — improving transparency, supporting interoperability and making it easier for schools to change supplier — are positive developments.
The challenge will be ensuring that the framework complements existing procurement routes rather than limiting them.
Schools and trusts should be empowered to compare solutions, evaluate suppliers and select the MIS that best supports their educational and operational priorities.
The future of MIS procurement should be about creating a more open, competitive and transparent marketplace — where schools have confidence, clarity and genuine choice.
WhichMIS? is an independent service that supports schools, trusts, and local authorities in making informed decisions when selecting a Management Information System (MIS).
Drawing on extensive experience and sector insight, WhichMIS? offers impartial advice, practical resources, and up-to-date market intelligence to help education providers find the right system to meet their needs—whether they’re reviewing their current solution or going out to tender.
Our aim is simple: to empower schools to make confident, well-informed MIS choices that support their strategic and operational goals.
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