This guide is aimed at MIS users and explains how to set up and manage the Parents App.
If you are a parent, looking for more information, see ‘ Parents App overview – a guide for parents ‘.
Make sure that parents have the latest version of our mobile app, available for iOS , or Android .
Features include:
Pupil lunches – The ability to record pupil’s meal choices for the week, up to three weeks in advance.
Payments – Allows parents to make payments for specific trips, clubs or items, top up school meal balances and see their payment history.
Attendance – Shows attendance for the year as well as giving parents the ability to log absences.
Reports – The ability to download pupil reports.
Achievements – The ability to see pupil’s recent milestones.
School information – The ability to see school contact information.
Profile – This is the parents profile. When they make changes to contact details they will also be notified by email.
Many of these features have to be enabled by you. See below to find out how.
Getting started
A step by step guide
1. Configure the app for your parents using the app/parent portal in Admin > School Options > MIS Options.
If using the portal / app to take payments, you will also need to ensure your Payment Options have Accept Stripe switched on and include a linked Stripe account (For more information on managing payments, see ‘ How to manage payments ‘).
Please note, any future changes to Parent settings will be force parents to be logged out in order for the changes to take effect.
2. Ensure all parents have an email address.
You can check who has one by going to Pupil List and adding the column Parent Email. This will bring back the email address from the top priority contact.
Should you wish to see all email addresses you can add the All Contact Information column.
You can also see a contact focused report in Messaging > Parent List.
Add missing email addresses for parents that require App/Portal access. Pupil Record > Family tab > Click Edit next to the contact and add the email address to the Email field.
3. Tick Online Access for any parent you wish to be able to access the App.
You can either do this by going into each child’s Family tab and ticking the Online Access box – or do it en-masse through Admin > Advanced > Online Access Setter. Pick the pupils who’s parent you’d like to grant access to using the Filter, then either set Access for First Priority or Access for Parental Responsibility.
4. Send Parent Portal and App Invite to Contacts. You can do this en-masse through Admin > Advanced > Parents > Send Parent Portal and App Invite to Contacts.
This routine will identify any contact that has a valid email, is linked to a pupil, has online access set and has yet to register for the App:
Alternatively, individual invites can be sent through Messaging > Parent List using the Email App Sign up button next to the listed parent (this option also appears when searching for parents):
Both options will send an email a link to choose a password and also instructions detailing how to download the App or navigate to the portal.
Parents can to be directed to ‘ Parents App overview – a guide for parents ‘ where they will find details of App features and also a guide
To avoid any potential issues, please make sure that parents have the latest version of our mobile app, which is available for iOS , or Android.