Last week, the WhichMIS? team took a small but strategic stand at the Schools and Academies Show in London’s ExCeL Centre. As ever, the event brought together a vibrant cross-section of the education community, from school leaders and MAT executives to suppliers and advisors, offering a snapshot of current trends and future directions in school management and technology.
Strong Representation in the MIS Space
Positioned in the Management Zone, we shared the floor with several of the leading names in school Management Information Systems. Our neighbours included established providers such as IRIS, SIMS, Bromcom, Arbor, Compass, and VenturEd, along with Go 4 Schools, who made their official launch at the show.
Traffic to the stand started slowly in the morning, but momentum picked up throughout the day. We had a series of engaging and insightful conversations with delegates representing both single schools and Multi Academy Trusts (MATs). It was also interesting to speak with a number of independent schools, many of which were actively seeking advice on navigating the MIS procurement and transition process—an encouraging sign of the widening demand for tailored guidance and sector insight.
Notable Industry Updates
There was plenty of news circulating amongst MIS providers and users:
- VenturEd, the provider of SchoolPod, announced their new partnership with The Influence Crowd for PR and communications. We’re particularly pleased to see this move, as it reunites us with Catherine and Louise, seasoned professionals who bring a wealth of sector knowledge. Their brief will include raising awareness of SchoolPod’s unique focus on Special Needs Schools—an important and often underserved segment of the MIS market.
- Over at Compass, celebrations were in order, as they recently reached the milestone of 100 schools using their platform. Even more impressively, we were reliably informed that an additional 100+ schools are currently migrating to Compass, which speaks volumes about the confidence and momentum they are building in the market.
- Meanwhile, the buzz around Welsh local authority procurements continues. With Bromcom having recently secured contracts with four LAs, and Arbor winning one, the sector is watching closely to see which MIS providers will win these Welsh tenders. These decisions are likely to shape MIS adoption in Wales for years to come.
Spotlight on Kidscape
Outside the world of MIS, we were fortunate to meet Carol Lilley from Kidscape, a longstanding charity focused on bullying prevention in schools. As an organisation committed to supporting positive educational experiences, we were inspired by their mission and wanted to take a moment to shine a light on their work.
Kidscape is an award-winning charity founded in 1985. They support children and families across England and Wales by providing practical help, advice, and training to challenge bullying and promote healthy relationships. Their vision is for every child to grow up in a safe and supportive environment, free from bullying and harm.
For those looking to support or get involved, Kidscape is already preparing for their 2026 Climb Kilimanjaro Challenge—a fundraising opportunity combining adventure and impact. More information is available at:
👉 www.kidscape.org.uk
Final Thoughts
The Schools and Academies Show continues to be a valuable forum for dialogue, connection, and discovery. For us at WhichMIS?, it provided a great opportunity to hear directly from schools and trusts about their evolving needs and to keep our finger on the pulse of a rapidly changing MIS landscape.
Whether you’re thinking about switching your MIS, overseeing a trust-wide rollout, or just looking to keep informed, WhichMIS? is here to support your journey with independent advice, reviews, and insights.
Got news to share or questions about your school’s MIS? Get in touch with us at whichmis@thewisdompartnership.com
We’ll also be at the next Schools & Academies Show in Birmingham in November and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.
