There are hidden aspects on each of the mark-sheets that the use a formula and the Autumn/Spring/Summer result aspects to create a score for each data collection point: Above, On, Below (AOB). The Tracking Grids use these scores to sort and display the students who are Above Target, On Target or Below Target.
The first step is therefore to make sure all the relevant mark-sheets all have Targets (including End of Key Stage) and that any data has been calculated:
Failing to do this could result in inaccurate data and/or blank Tracking Grids.
Once you are sure that the marksheets are all up to date and calculated, visit
Focus->Assessment->Tracking Grids
Select the Tracking Grid template you require.
If you have created one yourself, or modified/saved an existing one, they appear on the right hand side.
In this example, we’re selecting Spring Collection (left, highlighted above)
We use the same grid for each subject - and can filter the group and the source (eg by year group, then form) - depending on the template. This template is set up to read the AOB data from the Aspects from three Result Sets: Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9.
So this template will ignore any data from Years 10 and 11.
Drop-down the Assessment box and select the subject.
The subjects have been set up to pull all data, regardless of the course they are doing (so it does not matter if they are doing an AWL or SLD course - if the data is calculated in by the teacher entering levels in individual aspects, all students will be found here).
Click the Magnifying glass next to Source Group.
Here we select where we want the template to pull the data from. For a complete Key Stage overview, simply select All Year Groups (as the template will filter out Years 10/11). If your subject has an MLD and SLD curriculum, then you can choose the Source based on Course (eg Eng (Gen) for SLD course or Eng (KS3) for MLD)
In this example we are going to create an English KS3 Tracking Grid so will simply select All Year Groups
Click Apply
Next you could click the Magnifying Glass next to Group Filter to further filter the results.
In this example we are going to leave it blank
Click Populate to generate the grid results.
This might take a while - during busy times it may take up to five minutes to populate the grid and it may look like SIMS has frozen or crashed. If the window goes white, or you see a message saying “Not Responding”, just be patient.
Once populated you can either screen grab the grid, use the Snip Tool or Export it to an XML file. To do this, click the Export button (highlighted below) and save it a location of your choosing.
Note that XML files are raw data files, but can be read by Microsoft Excel (not Apple’s Numbers - it does not support text-based XML).
You may find that the file will try to open in Notepad or a web browser. (See picture ,right)
If this happens, open your spreadsheet program and open the XML file from File>Open, then save it back out as an Excel file.
You can directly import the XML file into a Word document too.
(Above: opening XML from within Excel)
(Above - Tracking Grid viewed in Excel)
Troubleshooting Tracking Grids
Tracking Grid will not populate/Error saying “No results can be found to match these grid settings
Ensure all mark-sheets have been completed, Base lines entered and Targets calculated.
Go into each marksheet and click Calculate and Save.
Then try your Tracking Grid again.
Data is not accurate eg. Students who are on target are showing as below
Go into each marksheet and click Calculate and Save.
Then try your Tracking Grid again.
SIMS is freezing when I click Populate
Wait up to five minutes for your tracking grid to populate
It could be the SIMS Server is busy, try again in a few minutes
It could be atHome server is busy, try again later or if possible move to a PC on site.