Important update: new access for SIMS starting 22nd January 2026.
Starting Thursday 22 January, the way your school accesses SIMS will change. This update will make it easier and faster for your staff to access the data and tools they need.
Why is this change happening, and what does it mean for your school?
Did you know your school now has access to the next generation of SIMS? It’s the original MIS millions already rely on – now faster, simpler, and smarter. Thousands of schools are already using it daily to streamline tasks, cut admin, and support student success.
This change will ensure all your school staff can take full advantage of the enhanced capabilities SIMS Next Gen has to offer.
How will your access to SIMS change?
Currently, your staff access SIMS by logging into id.sims.co.uk and selecting the “SIMS Connected” tile. Soon, access will be via a brand-new, intuitive homepage that’s easier to navigate – your gateway to SIMS Next Gen, the new cloud-native MIS.
There will be no disruption to your SIMS data or the way your staff work, SIMS 7 and SIMS Next Gen work seamlessly together as one MIS. SIMS Next Gen will save time, support teaching, inform leadership decisions, and help drive better outcomes across your school community.
You can find out more about the changes in this short video.
When will this change take place?
After morning registration on Thursday 22 January, all SIMS users in your school will be automatically redirected to home.sims.co.uk when selecting the “SIMS Connected” tile. From there, your staff will experience a seamless transition to enable access to SIMS Next Gen. If they wish, staff can make home.sims.co.uk their new default link.
Will I still have access SIMS 7?
Yes – SIMS 7 and SIMS Next Gen work seamlessly together as one MIS, allowing your school to embrace the benefits of cloud innovation without disruption. You can transition to our cloud native MIS at your own pace without the hassle of a change of technology.
SIMS Next Gen is packed with brand new time-saving features and modules, all designed in collaboration with schools like yours. And because it’s included in your existing contract, there’s no additional cost to start using it. To learn more about SIMS Next Gen, please visit https://www.ess-sims.co.uk/nextgen.
We are confident that this minor change will make a significant difference for your school. If you have any questions, please contact School ICT Services on 0345 222 6802, or email helpdesk@schoolicts.co.uk
Best regards,
School ICT Services
on behalf of ParentPay Group
