Our top ten features for your new school website

Schools are truly starting to embrace the web and use it to it’s full potential especially when it comes to school websites. This seems to be largely due to demand as parents want to be able to access school information using their mobile devices like tablets and mobiles. In addition, we’ve seen the number of enquiries about ‘apps’ soar in the last year as the amount of people accessing the Internet predominately via their mobile device continues to grow year on year.

The top ten features to please your student’s parents are:

1. Online school calendar that parents can subscribe to

Provide simple and clear online calendars that could be specific to each year group or banding.

2. Mobile apps to provide one-touch updates

Technology will be a huge part of your students’ futures, show their parents that your school embraces modern technology by providing apps for their mobile devices. Apps make the web even easier to access quickly on the go.

3. Downloadable forms or online forms where appropriate

For some parents their child’s school bag can be a black hole for school letters and forms. Provide an online alternative that the dog cannot eat.

4. Online curriculum guides for parents

Help your parents to help their children with homework. Curriculum guides help parents to be involved in their child’s learning.

5. Online payments for school trips and lunches etc

Make it easily for parents to pay money to your school. Provide secure online paymen systems.

6. News stories

Keep your parents up to date with what’s happening at school.

7. Online, interactive prospectuses

Online prospectuses are a green alternative and can be a good way to keep costs down.

8. Exam timetables and schedules

Exams are so important, make sure everyone has all the information they need at their fingertips

9. Registration for parent evenings

Allow your parents to schedule the appointments that they want.

10. Secure parent login area for providing and receiving private information.

Secure the information that you share with parents online with a secure login area customised for parents.

 

If your school is thinking about updating their website, why not talk to Oyster about how you can encourage greater evolvement from parents using the web. Call 01243 389713 or email hello@oysterdesign.co.uk.