September 2026 News & Updates

We're so excited about this one. Earlier this year we launched the brand new SOCS Parent and Pupil Portals and the feedback from schools already on them has been brilliant. If you're not yet on the new version, your time is fast approaching.  By January 2027, every school will be moved across and we'll take care of everything for you. In the meantime, take a peek at what's coming. A stunning new design, push notifications, better calendar views and so much more.

Watch our short video to see what all the fuss is about.

From 1st October, you'll be able to add your new iSAMS Batch API credentials (OAuth2.0) directly into SOCS Administrator, ready for the November deadline. We'll check your details and switch you over - please keep your existing API key active to avoid any disruption. We'll be in touch on 1st October with everything you need to get set up.

We've made a small update to our Terms & Conditions to reflect a new feature: schools can now connect their own payment provider (such as Stripe or esenda) to SOCS, making it easier for parents to pay for clubs and activities directly through the platform.

A new clause (3.2.26, Third-Party Payment Providers) has been added to Section 3 of our terms to cover this. In short: your school manages its own account with the payment provider, and SOCS facilitates the connection within the platform.

As always, if you have any questions, just get in touch with our team.

A new report from Sir Anthony Seldon and Tim Bunting highlights a growing challenge: AI is already part of pupils’ lives, yet many schools are still working out how to respond. The report calls for a national framework for AI in education, alongside clear strategies for individual schools.

The question is no longer simply “Should we be using AI?” but “Are we ready to use it responsibly, consistently and effectively across the whole school?”

That means clear expectations, practical training, responsible-use guidance, confident staff and evidence of progress, supported by a framework that can evolve alongside AI.

That’s why we developed SOCS Standards: AI Readiness, powered by Pedagogue a practical framework to help schools build AI capability, develop staff confidence and demonstrate AI readiness to governors.

Find out more at our AI micro-webinar on 17 November at 1pm, led by Dr Will Van Reyk, Pedagogue Co-founder and Director of Innovation at St Paul’s Girls’ School. The 20-minute session will explore five key things school leaders should know about AI, followed by a live Q&A. 

These free events are a great opportunity to share ideas, swap best practice and learn from fellow SOCS users, as well as get an exclusive look at exciting new functionality coming soon to the platform.

Upcoming events include:

 - Scotland & North East England User Group – 7 October, hosted by Erskine Stewart Melville School, Edinburgh

 - Bangkok User Group – 3 November, hosted by King’s College International School Bangkok. Registration for this event is open.

Whether you’re looking to pick up practical tips, connect with other schools or discover what’s coming next for SOCS, we’d love to see you there.

Find out more and register: Events | SOCS

The Schools’ Enterprise Association (SEA) has launched a new national research project to understand how swimming is currently delivered in schools, where the gaps and barriers are, and how schools and communities are finding new ways to provide access.

Supported by the Royal Life Saving Society, Swim England and the Swim Teachers Association, the research is open to all schools – whether they have their own pool, use temporary or off-site facilities, share provision or currently have no swimming provision.

With water safety a vital part of children’s education, SEA is encouraging schools to take part and help build a clearer national picture. The findings will be shared during Partnerships Week in early 2027.

Find out more and take part: Swimming in schools: State of the nation

This follows SOCS’ own focus on the importance of water safety during Drowning Prevention Week 2026. Read our insight on why water safety education matters in schools. 

Jim and Tracy took SOCS on tour this month, starting at the FOBISIA PE & Sport Conference in Shanghai (superbly hosted by Wellington College International Shanghai), where they connected with schools across the FOBISIA network to share ideas on PE and co-curricular life.

From there, it was on to Hong Kong for a whirlwind round of school visits, including Kellett School, Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong, Harrow International School Hong Kong, and Invictus School Hong Kong, exploring how each school uses SOCS to support their communities.

Thank you to everyone who warmly hosted us along the way; it was a pleasure to spend time with you all in person.

Last weekend, SchoolsSports.tv took us from the school rugby pitch to the US college game with two big live fixtures free to watch.

ST EDWARD’S OXFORD V ABINGDON

Friday 25 September

Missed a Daily Mail Trophy fixture? Catch up on demand:
Mill Hill v Northampton School for Boys • Whitgift v Wellington College • Lord Wandsworth College v Epsom College

Then we crossed the Atlantic.

UCLA BRUINS V MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Saturday 26 September 

For the first time, SchoolsSports.tv showed UCLA v Michigan live in the UK, bringing Division 1 college rugby to our audience. There’s a special school connection too, with British student-athletes who came through SOCS schools now playing in the US.

If you missed the action live, you can watch anytime on schoolssports.tv

Powered by JoymoTV

We’re delighted to be co-sponsoring the next SCIS ICT Managers' Meeting alongside Easy4u, organised by Adrian Semmler for ICT managers at SCIS member schools. 

Taking place at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel on 20 November, the meeting brings together Scotland’s school ICT community for a day of practical insight, discussion and networking around the fast-changing digital landscape. 

There’s a great line-up of speakers: 

Dr Will Van Reyk, Pedagogue 
AI-ready teachers create AI-ready pupils 
A practical look at how schools can prepare teachers and pupils for an AI-enabled future. 

James Kershaw Naylor, SOCS 
Future roadmap and developments 
James will share the latest SOCS developments and give ICT managers a look at what’s coming next. 

Richard Harris, Easy4u 
1:1 technology for schools 
Exploring the opportunities and practical considerations of providing 1:1 technology across schools. 

With time built in for networking, refreshments and discussion with fellow ICT managers, it’s a valuable opportunity to share experiences, ask questions and take away ideas for your own school. 

Register for the SCIS ICT Managers' Meeting :  SCIS ICT Managers’ meeting – registration form 

Latest Updates | SOCS