Halifax school software developer sees UK and international growth

Formative Data Systems, a Halifax-based educational software developer, has seen sales of its online data tracking and assessment package aimed at schools and nurseries increase by more than 220% in the last two trading months.

Established in 2012, the company was founded by former Bradford deputy head teacher, Scott Parkin, and has enjoyed continued growth both in the UK and internationally with expected turnover to reach £500k by 2016.

While using his own teaching and data management background, Scott created Early to Primary Essence, a software tool that allows nurseries and schools to track the progress and development of students from birth to 11 years and share the knowledge collaboratively with teachers, parents and pupils.

After forming strategic partnerships, the innovative system is now used in Spain, UAE, Dubai, Malaysia and Thailand, as well as in 147 pre-school settings and more than 300 schools in the UK.

Formative Data Systems is also attempting to align it’s Early to Primary Essence system with Early Excellence to help new and existing clients produce the mandatory (September 2015) Reception baseline report data.

This partnership with the UK’s leading early years and training provider has resulted in a significant increase in awareness of the software product.

In response to the increasing demand for their assessment products, the company has expanded its sales and training team with the appointment of 3 new consultants and is in the process of moving to new Bradford premises to accommodate its now 8-strong team for future growth.

Sales and training consultants joining the business include Sarah Lewthwaite, a former Bradford-based early years teacher and team leader, who participated in the pilot scheme to develop the Early to Primary Essence software package. Sarah’s main focus will be on new business, face to face and online training, client support and product development.

Michelle Foreman, also from Bradford, joins the team to provide client support, new business development and will play an integral role in business communications through the introduction of a CRM system to streamline operations. Michelle joins from Blue Arrow, where she was sector head for the organisation’s retail and supply chain and prior to that was a commercial manager with Axis Security.

Francesca Holmes, from Thornton, Bradford joins as sales and training consultant. Francesca is a former senior education consultant with Kelly Services UK Ltd, where she spent 7 years in a variety of senior roles.

Dawn Whittaker has been appointed as finance and administration manager. Dawn, from Halifax, joins with more than 15 years experience in the financial services sector, previously with Yorkshire Bank and Yorkshire Building Society

Formative Data Systems has enjoyed growth in the independent schools sector thanks to a partnership with leading school information system developer, Double First Ltd, which has introduced and distributed the software systems to the fee paying nursery, pre-prep and fee prep schools worldwide.

Scott Parkin, managing director, Formative Data Systems added: “As a young business we are delighted with the progress we are making to introduce our pioneering software packages to nurseries and schools in the UK and overseas. We are enjoying rapid growth thanks to strategic alliances and key sales appointments, which will enable us to meet increased demand for our products.”