I get an error message when I open the program for the first time
Close the program. Put the installation CD in the machine and click on 'Update system files' button on the 'Welcome' screen then follow the instructions. Alternatively you can download the fix.
Can I use the statement banks in later versions of the program that I used in previous versions of the program?
Yes. Save the statement banks to a memory stick, pen drive or floppy disk from your previous version of the program - Make sure you click the "Export Everything" button. Then import the statement banks from the disk into the new version of the program - under "Comment banks from earlier versions" select the version that you are importing from. You cannot import optional subjects from older versions into version 2004 or later.
There is an option to keep the built-in comment banks as well as your old ones that you are importing.
Note that since the 2004 version you can save statement banks and anything else within the program to any location, not just floppy disk.
Installation problem. I am having problems installing the software on my PC or network.
If you have any installation problems at all please email support@bluehills.co.uk or call us on 020 8293 0404; we are usually able to sort these out fairly quickly.
My school logo looks too small when I preview my reports.
Open the school logo file in your "Paint" or "Paintbrush" program (Start/Programs/Accessories/Paint) and remove any blank white space around the logo. To do this, "select" only the logo - click on the Select icon and then click and drag across the logo - omitting all the space around it. Then go to the menu and select Edit/Cut. The go to File/New to open a new file and then go to Edit/Paste. Save the new file as 24 bit bitmap (.bmp).
Alternatively, email the logo to us: support@bluehills.co.uk.
How do I save my work?
All your work is automatically saved in Report Writer. There is no need to click on any "save" commands. As soon as you move from the box in which you have added text, the contents of the box will be saved.
How do I backup my work?
In the Utilities screen, under “Save/restore ALL your work”, click either of the two buttons to back up or restore ALL your work. For those not working on a network (which should be routinely backed up anyway) you are advised to regularly back up your work. This will probably not fit on to a floppy disk so you may need to save either to your hard disk or to some other external medium like Memory Stick, Pen Drive or Zip Disk (not CD or DVD).
Data backup is also useful if you want to transfer ALL your work to another computer. Warning: when you restore from backup, ALL existing data in the program is overwritten by the incoming data.
Is there a limit to the amount of text that I can enter?
No, there is no limit to the amount of text you can write for any pupil's subject report. There is also no limit to the size of the statement bank comments.
Can I merge my reports with a colleague's?
Yes, you can. This is useful when two or more teachers report on different subjects for the same pupils. For example, teacher Mrs."A" who has written reports for core subjects for "Jenny Jones", can merge her report for Jenny with the Foundation subject reports written for Jenny by another teacher. What actually happens when you select this option is that ONLY BLANK reporting areas for a pupil are filled with text from your colleague's incoming report. The one thing you CAN'T do is to write half of Jenny's Maths reports each and then merge; it only works where different subjects have been reported on.
Why can't I see the NC/QCA statements and why are other things hidden?
This is because your screen resolution is set below our recommended minimum. On your computer go to START; then Control Panel; double-click "Display"; click the "Settings" tab; finally, adjust the screen resolution to at least 1024 x 768 pixels. Click "Apply" then "OK"; when asked if you wish to keep the new settings, click "Yes" or "OK".
Our school has upgraded to SIMS.Net. What is the procedure for creating a Common Transfer File?
The only difference in the procedure with SIMS.Net is that you no longer need to create a dummy destination school. Just follow the procedure for creating a CTF when a pupil leaves your school but select all the pupils in the school or the required pupils and then set the destination Local Authority as "England".
If you need further help with CTF in SIMS.Net, please call us on 0845 402 9918 and we can email you more detailed instructions.
Can I import pupil names from the school admin. system?
The quickest way to enter pupil details is by importing from your school’s administrative system using the Common Transfer File (see the manual for instructions ). Most school offices will be very familiar with the CTF as it is a statutory requirement to produce such files when pupils transfer from the school to another.
CTFs can be produced for the whole school roll. This is particularly useful when adding the whole school roll to a network installation of the program and saves a lot of time.
A CTF could also be produced for each class and handed to each teacher on a floppy disk. However, to save time where teachers are working on stand-alone machines, the whole school roll can still be imported by each teacher and subsequently filtered quickly and easily to show only their own pupils.
The CTF automatically imports pupil name, gender, year group, UPN (Unique Pupil Number) and attendance data (if it has been entered for the current academic year on the school admin. system). The CTF will not import class details but you can add classes quickly and easily in one go with the Class Flood-fill.
If you have problems importing from your CTF, getting an error message every time you try, this may be because your computer does not yet have the latest Microsoft Windows ® updates installed. In the meantime, we recommend that you download and install Microsoft's MSXML4 which will allow you to import from your CTF.
I can't add new pupils "manually" - I get a message saying data is missing.
This happens occassionally when you add pupils manually. For versions later than 2005 only - on the menu bar at the top of the screen, click "File" then click "Refresh" - this should clear the problem. For versions earlier than 2006, Do not click File/Refresh - instead, please contact us by email or phone.