Arbor Education

Arbor service provides both the management information system (MIS) and finance data base for LA Maintained Schools.

Basic support package for MIS

This covers the cost of the Arbor licence for the 2025/26 financial year. Prices will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Alongside the licence you will receive the basic support package via the SCC Schools IT Team. This covers.

  • Basic guidance to questions raised via the IT Service Desk, either via email or telephone. Schools will be expected to follow guidance themselves.
  • Assistance via dedicated helpline for the census returns.
  • Access to a range of webinars and help via the Arbor support portal.

Enhanced support package for MIS Support

We will be offering an enhanced support package at the same cost as the current Enhanced SIMS package. This is £1,185.00 per school for the 2025/26 financial year.

In addition to the basic support package, you will also receive the following support from the SCC Schools IT team:

  • Remote support to guide you through day-to-day queries.
  • Remote or onsite support where errors and queries cannot be fixed via email or telephone.
  • Up to half a day onsite MIS training for new members of support staff.
  • Availability to purchase hardware and peripherals through our catalogue, installed by out friendly technicians.

We would strongly recommend that all schools purchase the enhanced offering for the 2025/26 financial year, to enable full support from the SCC Schools IT Team.

We will be reviewing this package during the 2025/26 financial year to ensure schools are receiving this service at the right price. We will inform schools directly of any proposed price changes to this service in advance of renewal.

We are currently working with our partners to offer a Finance support package to schools and will be in touch with further details once this has been agreed.

Withdrawing from Arbor

This service is purchased annually on a 12-month rolling contract. To withdraw, you must inform us in writing via email to schoolsitservices@suffolk.sch.uk no less than 90 days before the renewal date:

  • 1 April for Local Authority Schools
  • 1 September for Academies.

For LA schools, notice must be given by the end of December and for Academies by the end of May.

If no notification to cease has been received, the service will continue and the school/academy will be charged for the full year.

If you have any questions about the Arbor service or another IT service, contact the IT Service Desk on 01473 265555 or email ITServicedesk@suffolk.gov.uk.

Frequently asked questions