Schools face a growing need to establish strong, effective communication channels with parents and may find all sorts of platforms offering specialist communication tools – some of which are extremely costly. But your school website, along with our school apps, are all you need to have great communication with parents without adding expensive extras. 

Central hub of information

Your school website is the primary destination for parents seeking information about your school. From term dates to curriculum details, policies, and upcoming events, it serves as a central place to find all kinds of critical information. Parents lead busy lives, and providing them with a one-stop solution reduces frustration and ensures they stay updated.  

Without a user-friendly, organised website, parents might struggle to find key details, leading to unnecessary phone calls or confusion and mixed messages. A well-structured website eliminates these challenges, ensuring that parents always know where to turn for accurate and up-to-date information.  

Enhancing parent engagement

A good school website does more than just disseminate information – it actively engages parents in the life of the school. Features such as blogs, news updates, galleries, and event calendars allow parents to feel part of their child’s educational journey. For example, showcasing photos from sports days, nativity plays, residential trips, or student achievements not only celebrates the school’s successes but also strengthens the bond between parents and the school community.  

Engagement fosters trust and a sense of belonging, which are critical for a supportive school environment and helps parents to support the school and continue learning at home. Parents who feel informed and involved are more likely to participate in events, contribute to school initiatives, and collaborate in their child’s education.  

Accessibility and convenience

One of the most significant advantages of a school website is that it provides parents with 24/7 access to information. No matter the time of day, parents can log on to check announcements, download forms, or review important notices. With most parents working, and not always in traditional 9-5 jobs, this is a huge help which is not to be underestimated. This level of convenience is particularly crucial for those unable to attend in-person meetings.  

A responsive design ensures that your website functions seamlessly across all devices, from desktops to smartphones. Given the increasing reliance on mobile technology, an accessible and mobile-friendly website is not just a luxury but a necessity for schools.  There are also increasingly easy options for parents to use to translate information to their chosen language, or make text larger for reading for those with vision impairments, and text readers can make school updates even more accessible for all parents. 

Strengthening communication during emergencies

In times of emergencies, such as severe weather, health alerts, or other unforeseen events, a school website becomes indispensable. By providing real-time updates and clear guidance, schools can keep parents informed and alleviate confusion or anxiety.  

By adding a school app to complement your website you can also integrate push notifications through the website to the app, which ensures that parents receive critical information promptly. This ability to communicate swiftly and effectively underscores the website’s role as a lifeline between the school and its community.  The absence reporting area of the app also enables parents to let you know about a child’s absence and to sign to say why they are off – which can help families with their own illnesses and emergencies too. 

The school app is a one-off build cost followed by a small yearly fee for school, but free to download for parents, making it even more accessible. 

Supporting transparency and trust

Parents today expect transparency from schools, and this has been even clearer since the pandemic saw parents receiving more information digitally than ever before, which raised their expectation levels. Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and a school website that prioritises clear and honest communication can build lasting trust with parents.  

Additionally, FAQs and contact pages with easy-to-access forms help parents find answers to their questions or connect with the right staff member quickly. A website that demonstrates attentiveness to parental needs strengthens the school’s reputation for responsiveness and care.  

A school website is far more than a marketing tool – it is the backbone of communication between your school and your families. By providing essential information, fostering engagement, and demonstrating transparency, a well-designed site strengthens relationships and builds trust within your school community.  Add your branded school app to make that bond even greater!