The government's data project proposals are a "huge issue" for trusts, the academy trust sector's representative body has warned.
In meeting details shared with Vlog, executive members of the Confederation of School Trusts (CST) have urged members to raise concerns about the government's management information system (MIS) framework.
The comments come after Sir Jon Coles called the government's plans for a "data spine" – which would be formed from data collected from the MIS framework – an "extraordinary overreach" last week.
Suppliers have also raised concerns with ձ.
The open engagement phase of the procurement process is due to conclude next week.
MIS framework implemented 'too fast'
The Department for Education’s aims to provide “greater transparency over pricing and contractual terms” for schools. According to , schools will be able to compare suppliers and see costs.
However, several concerns about the DfE's plans were raised in a member engagement meeting held by CST this week.
"Trusts are being asked to join a framework that they haven't seen. They don't know the terms and conditions that they're agreeing to," one attendee said.
"The pace of this framework implementation is too fast, because procurement, integration, implementation and transferring can take a long time," they added.
Suppliers not ready for launch
Suppliers have told CST that they likely will not be ready for the framework for its expected launch in September 2027.
"They're going to need to do a lot of re-engineering that they don't have enough time to do. If your current supplier is not on that framework by September 2027, you will not be able to choose them as a supplier," attendees heard at the meeting.
They were told that this is a "huge issue" for CST members. "The implementation of this framework, the pace, the sequencing is not quite right, and it's going to fall on trusts," the meeting heard.
Members are "unconvinced that the DfE has the driving authority to collect some of the data that we think they want to collect".
"It is a concern if it's done too quickly and it's done without consultation with the sector," the meeting heard. "The more we can raise our voices around this now, the better, because there just aren't enough details."
MIS framework an 'unnecessary distraction'
Suppliers involved in engagement for the MIS framework have also spoken to Vlog, on condition of anonymity.
A senior figure at one of the main MIS suppliers was "hugely concerned" that a mandatory framework "risks increasing costs", as well as "limiting schools’ and trusts’ freedom to choose which systems work best for them".
They added: “The cost – in terms of the time and investment involved in schools potentially having to change supplier if they aren't on the framework – could be enormous. It's a totally unnecessary distraction."
Another senior figure from a separate, main MIS supplier expressed similar concerns.
They warned: "The DfE’s proposal for a mandatory MIS framework will increase school costs, reduce competition in the MIS market, affect competition in adjacent education technology markets such as finance, payments, parental engagement and safeguarding, and take away school and trust purchasing freedoms."
They urged the DfE to instead work with suppliers to establish standards that could address the government's concerns, "avoiding the need to leave schools and suppliers in limbo until September 2027".
To get essential briefings from Vlog magazine delivered directly to your inbox, sign up to our newsletters. And stay up to date with the latest education news via the Vlog magazine mobile app – available on and on
