How Channing Uses SchoolBase to Streamline Operations and Enhance Student Engagement

Channing is an all-girls school located in Highgate. The school lives by the motto and philosophy of, ‘Girls Enjoying Success’, which is reflected in every element of daily life. Channing is also a part of the Girls School Association (GSA), with their headteacher also being the president of the prestigious group. As a school that priorities academic performance and community, it’s vital that their MIS facilitates engagement among staff, students, and parents.

Furlong have supported Channing with SchoolBase MIS for over ten years now. Additionally, the school also uses FeeMaster to facilitate fee-billing.

Recently we spoke with the school’s Director of Digital Learning and Technology to understand how our software is supporting daily operations for this free thinking and inclusive school.

Monitoring Behaviour with SchoolBase Rewards and Sanctions

One module that Channing finds particularly valuable is the Rewards and Sanctions tool. Managing student behaviour consistently is a challenge for many schools due to a variety of factors. This ranges from differing staff expectations, diverse student needs, to inconsistent implementation of policies.

The Rewards and Sanctions module provides practical strategies to create a consistent, fair, and transparent approach to behaviour management. It helps schools recognise and reinforce positive behaviour while addressing negative behaviour in a structured way. This consistency is crucial because it not only supports a positive school culture but also improves student engagement.

Channing agree that having a centralised MIS has allowed them to implement school-wide initiatives when it comes to behaviour best practice.

“Rewards and sanctions work differently for our junior and senior school. With SchoolBase, we can implement the varying behaviour metrics while still benefittting from unified reporting. This means we have the flexibility to tailor rewards and sanctions for different age groups in a simple way.

In summary, the Rewards and Sanctions tool is highly customisable, which is a major strength. It allows schools to create a system that is both simple for staff to use and tailored perfectly to their specific needs.”

Supporting Streamlining of Administrative Duties

Channing has placed a strong focus on building staff confidence in using SchoolBase, recognising that empowered, well-supported staff are key to running more efficient and effective school operations. This investment has delivered tangible benefits: processes for attendance, assessments, and reporting have been streamlined, reducing administrative burden and freeing staff to focus on teaching and supporting students.

The school has also maximised the potential of its MIS data by hiring a dedicated data manager. This role enables the school to leverage data strategically, guiding initiatives, monitoring progress, and supporting targeted interventions. Together, these steps enhance the school’s ability to make informed, data-driven decisions, improve student outcomes, and cultivate a coordinated, proactive approach to school management.

“We have focused on helping staff get the most from SchoolBase. Beyond improving daily processes, the My Day tool is now being used more extensively, receiving positive feedback for its smooth and intuitive experience. Recent updates have reduced clicks for admin tasks, making workflows even more efficient.

The ability to add disbursements is another valuable feature, creating a seamless link between teachers, administrative staff, and the finance department, further strengthening operational efficiency across the school.”

Aligning Operations with GSA Best Practice

One thing Furlong and Channing have in common is their active engagement with the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA). Furlong has exhibited at the association’s events and provides support to several girls’ schools, demonstrating their commitment to the wider GSA community.

Channing, meanwhile, has aligned the core of its planning with initiatives promoted through its association with the GSA. This strategic alignment means that SchoolBase plays a central role in implementing school-wide changes and ensuring clear, effective communication with all stakeholders, reinforcing the school’s ability to drive consistent and coordinated improvement across every area.