Technology has already had a massive impact on the education sector, and none more so than mobile technology. We almost take for granted the fact that all manner of information is at our fingertips via mobile phones nowadays, but this can be hugely beneficial in an educational environment. Huge numbers of apps have appeared which are intended to improve the experience in education for pupils, parents and teachers alike. And that there is no doubt that these particularly resonate with young people.

Smartphone Dominance

Considering how culturally ubiquitous the smartphone has become, it is easy to forget that the concept is little more than a decade old. Indeed, the first iPhone only appeared in 2007, yet there are already more mobile devices in the world than people. And with technology on the horizon such as the Internet of Things, we can expect a lot more engagement with a wide variety of devices in the future.
If education is to remain relevant, let alone inspiring, to young people then it must harness mobile technology and the revolution that it represents. Businesses in all industrial sectors are taking advantage of the 24-hour accessibility that mobile phones offer. With the average person spending 90 minutes daily on their mobile phone, and many young people probably exceeding this figure, it is clear that mobile apps already have a captive audience.

Ease of Engagement

So an immediate advantage of mobile apps for schools and educational establishments is the ease of engagement involved. Mobile applications are precisely designed to be accessible, and easy for both parents and young people to both comprehend and utilise. There is no doubt that young people particularly enjoy using such technology, but school mobile apps can also boost parental engagement as well.
One of the big problems for many parents is simply juggling the commitments of their hugely busy lives. Very few of us are in a position where we can solely look after our children, without the need to earn a living. Unfortunately, this can often leave parents in a position where they are unable to engage with their children’s education to the degree that would be preferable.
This is where mobile apps come in. by providing and are easily accessible template, mobile technology can make it easier for parents to participate in the educational process, without having to make a massive commitment. Half an hour can invested here and there with any mobile platform, and young people can begin learning, and engaging with their parents as well, quickly and easily. Aside from bonding and connecting with their children, parents often even learn something from the process; enhancing their own knowledge of technology, and familiarising themselves with new concepts and information.

Affordability

Another attractive aspect of mobile applications is their affordability. The potential for mobile software to effectively provide additional educational support should not be underestimated. Before the advent of technology, such a role could only be performed by an adult guardian or carer. This would mean parents would either need to be in possession of a significant amount of technical knowledge on a certain subject, or else they would need to hire a specialised tutor. Needless to say, this would turn out to be more expensive, and often time-consuming, than utilising a convenient mobile app.

It should also be stated that mobile apps are particularly intuitive, and deliver an immediate interactivity that appeals to all users. Research indicates that people of all ages learn more quickly and effectively when they are able to interact with information, and this is undoubtedly one of the major strengths of mobile apps. Computer software is precisely designed to be interactive, and this can result in better educational outcomes for pupils, while parents can also pick up the information more readily as well.

Direct Interaction

Mobile apps also open up the possibility of direct interaction between children, parents, and schools. The connectivity of technology means that schools can be copied into the learning process, meaning that it is often possible for parents to communicate directly with teachers, and for the progress of young people to be monitored more easily. This sort of integration was, again, impossible before the advent of mobile technology, and represents a massive advantage of the niche.

Vast Information

And another obvious advantage of the mobile revolution is that it offers children and almost limitless palette of information and subjects to digest. Just a few decades ago, the subjects taught within school environments may have been rather limited, but mobile technology opens up massive possibilities in this area. There really is no boundary to what can be accessed and understood via mobile apps, with the process always being enhanced by rich interactivity and learning environments.
Research indicates that interacting with technology enhances the intelligence and cognitive processes of young people. When coupled with the sheer depth of data that mobile applications can deliver, this means that we are breeding a smarter and more well-rounded generation of young people. As more mobile apps become available, so this process will be enhanced.

Budget Pressure

With pressure on budgets in education departments and schools all over the world, it is clear that mobile apps, and technology in general, can play a major role going forward. If students are to gain access to the best quality of educational material, mobile apps are certainly one of the best sources of this information. Furthermore, they deliver teaching in a form that is compelling and easily comprehensible for young people, and encourage interactivity between children and parents.
It is no wonder that schools are enthusiastically embracing school mobile apps, and classrooms of the future will feature this technology as an inevitable fixture.

Website design is a constantly evolving entity, meaning that any industry engaging with the Internet needs to constantly evolve as well. Keeping abreast with the top web design trends for websites is vital for any school that wishes to engage with parents and pupils alike. And there are a variety of disruptive technologies available that make it possible for any school website to be truly inspiring.

Drone Technology

One of the innovations that is particularly impacting on school website design is that of drone technology. This enables some spectacular videos to be produced, and at a pretty affordable price point. With commercial drones now able to carry HD, and even 4K, cameras, the ability to fly over inaccessible areas and capture spectacular photographs and videos has become entirely viable.

There are now millions of drone aircraft in circulation, and footage captured from them is becoming extremely popular. By embracing the drone revolution, schools are able to tap into the technology zeitgeist, making their websites far more attractive to young people in particular. Drone footage really can be an excellent way of grabbing attention, and firing visitors’ imaginations.

Customisation

Customising websites in order to deliver individual experiences can also be an effective way of standing out from the crowd. It is always worth bearing in mind that there is a potentially wide range of users of all educational websites, with teachers, students, parents and administrators all interested parties.
As each of these groups will require completely different information from your website, the argument for customisation becomes more compelling. Personalising content to satisfy the needs of a particular group is an effective way of making people feel valued when they access your webpage. Extracting user profile data, and personalising content within sections, are both valid ways of achieving this goal.

Video Engagement

Speaking of engagement, using videos is also to be recommended. So much can be done with online video sharing nowadays, and it is even possible for schools to generate a significant presence on sites such as YouTube. Videos can help to deliver such content as the headmaster or headmistress introducing the school, various key teachers providing information on their departments, alumni giving testimonials, and current students providing their views on learning as well.
Providing video material can be a highly effective way of reaching people, and establishing a video platform can also help to make use of the drone footage suggested previously.

Virtual Reality

And you capture attention and imagination further still by embracing the disruptive trend of virtual reality. VR is establishing itself via video games platforms such as Oculus Rift and the PlayStation VR project, and will soon be widely available for other businesses as well. Virtual reality will be able to provide a unique insight into facilities across any educational establishment, placing people at home right in the midst of the school.

This form of technology will particularly resonate with young people, especially as it becomes more widely available. Although virtual reality has yet to truly land in the mainstream, this is expected to occur over the next few years. And it would be advisable for schools to embrace this innovation now, in order to get ahead of the curve.

Photographs and Images

Quality photography should also be an absolute priority for all school websites. This is arguably the most important part of any site, as delivering striking images will really have an impact on the initial impression of parents and potential pupils. While video material and text both has its place, it is really imagery that will create that all important first impression, and this is why it should be produced diligently.
Thus, most schools will benefit from having a professional photographer create the imagery to appear on their website. While it is certainly possible to create high quality photography with commercially available cameras, a professional photographer will have a better quality of equipment, and, of course, much more experience with producing photographs.
Photography can be used to showcase the exterior of a school, along with the interior settings as well. Pictures really have an impact on how people feel or think about a particular subject, and photography really represents an opportunity to influence your potential audience. You can also create a pleasing video impression by using techniques such as slideshows and carousels, in order to really grab the attention of visitors.

Content Management

It is also important to use a suitable content management framework when designing and maintaining your website. Drupal has become a popular choice, being used by Harvard University, University of Yale, Stanford Law School, and Oxford University. However, this system isn’t ubiquitous, and there are plenty of others available that may better suit your particular institution.
But content management systems certainly shouldn’t be ignored, as they enable responsive school website designs and multi-site functionality to be implemented more easily. They also enable schools to control and manage the publication of workflow more easily, while exceptional content and user access control is also a requisite feature. Such systems can also make it easier to launch email and social media campaigns.

Progressive Mobile Applications

Finally, it is advisable for schools to embrace the mobile revolution. Combining your website with progressive mobile applications can really help garner attention, and particularly capture the imagination of young people. All schools should be looking at a multi-faceted approach when engaging with their potential audience, as this will allow them to cover the most bases possible.
The possibilities with school website design are always growing broader and more impressive, and it is important for schools to keep up with the latest trends, in order to ensure that they are not left behind. Standing still is simply not an option in this highly technological age, so keeping your finger on the pulse is absolutely essential if you wish to ensure that your school website creates a favourable impression with your audience.

Webanywhere’s School Jotter mobile app offers your school a versatile and bespoke digital gateway that enables engagement with stakeholders and the local community, promotes your school’s ethos and serves as a fantastic way to stay connected.
Linked to our School Jotter system, the mobile app now means access to all your tools on the move. Compatible with a range of devices such as phones and tablets (both iOS and Android) users are no longer tethered and can take everything they need with them. With customisable options and an unbeatable level of customer support, a school can truly make the app their own, giving it a unique identity and setting it apart.
Whether it be creating links to the local community by making content available, streamlining work processes by using organisational tools, or sending alerts about important school events, Webanywhere’s school mobile app makes these tasks effortless and mobile, all in a digital environment that is as unique as your educational establishment.

Why your school needs its own app

• Send free instant messages (no more buying text credits)
• No character limit, unlimited messages
• Add multiple contacts
• Read receipts show the school when parents have read messages
• Deliver the latest school news, events and updates to parents
• Go paperless by sending letters and newsletters home
• Send surveys for parents to complete
• Parents can synchronise school calendar to their own device
• A secure and reliable platform
• DfE/Ofsted Compliant
• Cheaper than 90% of current text message platforms

With the School Jotter mobile app, you can extend your school brand into the hands of your parents’ and send school messages and updates instantly to their mobile phone for free! We have found that for every hit on a school website a school gets around 6 hits on our mobile app.
The app is free for all end users (parents, students etc) to download from either the iOS App Store or Google Play.
Join over 4,000 schools in the UK that use School Jotter websites, mobile apps and school software.

The Department for Education updated the Ofsted requirements on the 24th May 2018.
To help you check if everything is up to date and get an outstanding rating, we have compiled a quick, easy checklist with all the information schools much publish on their website.

If you are a maintained school please download this guide:

If you are a free school, college or an academy please download this file:

Increasing parental engagement can bring a wide range of benefits to any nursery or school. Studies have shown that it can improve the home learning environment, help with behaviour management and develop a real partnership between school and stakeholder. With this in mind, here are some straightforward steps that a school can take to attempt to ensure that parents don’t disengage from their child’s education.

Create learning for everyone

Offering workshops and courses based around subjects that your parents may find useful such as key developmental issues, behaviour, literacy or innovative play ideas can go a long way to increasing parental engagement.
These workshops are added value, and for a small investment in time and effort, a primary school can show that it wants to reach out to parents, involve them with some of the issues that they might be facing at home and go beyond the usual parents evening system or a quick chat whilst filling in an incident report at the end of the day.
Workshops and courses don’t have to be massively detailed, but if they include practical advice, a warm and welcoming atmosphere and something for parents to take home and consider, they can be a great way to build bridges. For maximum effect, make sure that these workshops occur at times where the most parents are available and if possible, try to change up the location – they don’t necessarily have to be held at school – to ensure as many people have the chance to access them as possible.

Make positive moments of contact

It’s often the case that negative contact can lead to parental disengagement. If the only time a parent hears from their children’s school is when something is going wrong, it’s understandable that the parent may withdraw.
To combat this, going out of your way to make sure that there are moments during the day where there is positive contact from school to parent is a simple and effective way to promote parental engagement. Showing a parent that it’s not just the negative things that get noticed and communicating with them some of the successes their child has experienced is a great way to bring them back into the partnership.
These can be planned into the daily routine (drop-off and pick-up points are obvious times) and support staff can also be utilised to make sure that there is always a point where the good things that are going on in your school are conveyed and a parent never feels as though communication with the school is undesirable. This is a simple, cheap and effective technique that can be broadened and embedded into a school’s ethos.

Use mobile apps

With the development of digital technology, making sure there is an open channel of communication and therefore enabling greater parental engagement has never been easier. A bespoke mobile app that allows a parent to easily access things such as school calendars, upcoming events like trips, and gives them a window into what is going on in a nursery goes a long way to closing the distance they may feel. Other barriers to communication such as time or geography are also overcome as parents can access this information wherever they are and at a time that is suitable for them.
Using a smart school website or mobile technology as a way to increase parental engagement means making use of tools that a vast majority of parents already own and are comfortable with. More details of Webanywhere’s own Mobile Jotter can be found here where you can explore some of its features.

These suggestions are simply the tip of the iceberg. They can act as a jumping-off point for a more in-depth consideration as to how a school can consider the best way to ensure that parental engagement is at the forefront of their practice. With these suggestions, a primary school can start to think about the best way to increase parental engagement, leading to stronger ties and better outcomes for all involved.

In another record year for growth and adoption of our school websites and mobile apps, our clients will be presented with monthly awards in recognition for their contribution to the ongoing success of their school.
This will be our first year running the Webanywhere School Awards!
As we work with more than 4,000 schools, we know that winning a prestigious Webanywhere School Award is not easy.

How should I enter?

New clients are automatically nominated for an award.
If you are with Webanywhere for more than a month, please nominate your school by sending us an email at info@webanywhere.co.uk
Through our range of online channels, we publicise the winners providing you with invaluable publicity throughout the year.
Winning a Webanywhere School Award sets you apart from other schools and proves your school credentials. It can help you attract new parents, pupils and teachers.
All winners will receive digital badges to help you promote your win.

Awards categories

1. School Website of the Month

2. School Mobile App of the Month

Your mobile app is your school’s chance to boost parental engagement.
It’s a sad fact that teachers are finding it increasingly difficult to keep parents engaged with what’s going on at school.
Parents’ ‘go-go’ lifestyles mean they don’t have time to visit the school’s website for the latest news and announcements.
Hard copies of newsletters often get lost or thrown out.

What does this mean?

• Meetings with parents are missed
• Permission slips never get signed
• Children are dropped off when school is shut for training

Fortunately, the School Jotter mobile app is now bridging the gap between parents and schools and this is why it’s considered the best school mobile in the UK.
Free for parents to download via the App Store and Google Play, Jotter Mobile transformed the way schools communicate with parents.

The app features:

• Latest news and newsletters
• Contact (and be contacted by) individuals and groups of parents for free.
• Push notifications for urgent messages such as snow days
• Calendar for semester dates, meetings and events
• Hot Link – browse an external URL without leaving the app
• Contacts – useful numbers at your fingertips
• Maps – locate a campus or sports field

Even the so-called ‘hard-to-reach’ parent, who has low self-esteem and lacks the confidence to get involved, can at least know what’s going on.
This may eventually entice some to become more involved with their children’s education and school life.
Relying on parents to visit a school’s website for information is optimistic, as this can be time consuming and requires visiting several different pages, whereas with Jotter Mobile, everything can be accessed in moments.
Although Jotter Mobile is a stand-alone product, it works in synergy with our School Jotter website.
Not only does the app refresh automatically when the website is updated, parents can access photo galleries.
As lives get busier, the need for schools to have an app to act as a communications hub is greater than ever. It’s a great way to foster support and keep parents willingly engaged.
With hundreds on order, Webanywhere have already delivered over 1,000 School Jotter mobile apps – all beautifully designed to match a school’s brand and ethos. To date, our app has been used over 1,000,000 times.
Here’s what schools are saying:

“I think it’s great! Easy to use, can be accessed from everywhere. I have it on my phone and tablet. We’ve very happy with it. – St Joseph’s CPS Bradford
“Over a third of our parents use the app, and it is perfect for us because it’s so easy to use and manage.” – Old Sarum Primary School
“Thank goodness About time we have an app for holy family. It will make my life so much easier.well done!!”? – Holy Family CPS
“What a lovely app. Very informative and easy to navigate.” – Grange Park Primary School
“Great app.” – Drighlington Primary School

We were excited to interview our newest Marketing Intern, Wiktoria from Keighley’s Holy Family Catholic School. Although she has been with us for a short amount of time, we have had a blast getting to know her!
Wiktoria is an incredibly fast learner and has impressed us with her ability in completing tasks quickly and efficiently. She helped us publish content on our blog and organise an event that some of the biggest companies in Leeds will attend tomorrow. She is also learning how to build school websites with School Jotter.
We got a chance to interview Wiktoria, and are excited to introduce her to our readers!

Tell us something fun about you.
Hi, my name is Wiktoria Plata, I am 14 years old and I come from Poland. I live in Keighley with my younger sister and my parents. I am in Year 10 and go to Holy Family Catholic School.

What do you hope to learn by the end of the internship?

By the end of this internship, I hope to learn how Webanywhere works with and helps schools through education websites and apps.

What is your favourite thing to do outside of school?

Outside of school, I like to meet up with friends and do something interesting.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I see myself at university studying a degree that will help me get a well-paid and helpful job.

What would be your ideal job?

My ideal job would be to do something that hopefully helps people.

What is your favourite book and why?

My favourite books are written by Michael Morpurgo, because his books are always adventurous and usually have a meaning behind them.

What kind of music do you like and who is your favourite artist and why?

I like listening to pop and sometimes some country music. My favourite artist is Sia because of the way she sings and writes her songs.

What a beautiful, honest lady. I had the pleasure of meeting Sophie a couple of months ago at our anti-bullying conference. Sophie was joined by her good friend Zara Holland, Tom Riodon the CEO of Leeds CC, Emma Kenny and Rob Faulkner, an e-safety expert.
I contacted Sophie via her Instagram account in January and asked her if she wanted to take part in a conference discussing the “impact of social media on young children, what can schools do?’’ She responded straight away stating that this was something she felt extremely passionate about.

To stand up in front of a room full of Headteachers must of been incredibly hard but she did it and was inspirational. I had no idea she was struggling so much. A smile can disguise anything and hers was magical.

Schools are facing a poisoned problem with social media and both Sophie and Zara had some answers. No one else is better informed, educated and knowledgable about social media. They spoke about going into schools and talking to the children. The room and everyone in it had a respect for these girls and it was then them who became the teachers.
Watch Sophie’s speech at the Elland Road event:

The full video of the event can be found here.
Cyber bullying is just bullying, plain and simple. Emma Kenny said “the only thing we have to offer is compassion, kindness and love”, Sophie had all three.
The seminar felt special at the time but it’s only now that I realise how much Sophie wanted to make a difference. Sophie, Thank-you so much for helping and making a difference in this battle with social media bullying. You will not be forgotten. The world wasn’t made for one as beautiful as you. X

You will not be forgotten, and neither will be your work to help others, we will continue in your memory until bullying stops.

Sophies slide on Types of Troll:

Talk to Samaritans:
Call 116 123 (this number is free to call)

Cyberbullying Resources

• Multimedia resources from Bullying UK
• A free ebook download
• Lesson plans, roadshows and resources from The Anti-Bullying Alliance
• Cyberbullying Views

Worried about a child?
Contact NSPCC’s trained helpline counsellors for 24/7 help, advice and support.
help@nspcc.org.uk
0808 800 5000

Webanywhere’s school mobile app, School Jotter, is trending on the Apple App Store as one of the best Education apps in the market.
School Jotter, a UK school mobile app has been trending at #16 for Education on the Apple app store. The app is increasingly gaining popularity thanks to its ability to connect primary school teachers with parents. School Jotter as the most downloaded school mobile app in the UK is also available in multiple markets including the USA, New Zealand, Australia and more.
The user friendly School Jotter mobile app became a hit with schools as they use it to contact parents and share their latest news, events and updates. Cool features such as push notifications, school calendars and instant communication with parents to name a few are included in this app.
Schools can contact and be contacted by individuals and groups of parents for free, reducing the amount spent on reprographics as school communications like Headteachers’ newsletters can be accessed via the app. With school budgets being reduced, the app helps schools to be more efficient and save time and money.

Currently, there are over 100,000 people using it in the UK making it the most popular school website and communications mobile app in the country. On top of that, School Jotter has received over 100 of 5-star reviews from parents on Google Play describing it as the best method of communication between school and parent.
“Best form of communication when you don’t always get letter on time from the kids, the calendar is fab!” a user wrote.
“Much easier than trying to keep on top of letter that teachers stick in the kids school bags.” said another user.
The School Jotter mobile app has the ability to automatically sync with a school website, meaning this is quick, easy to implement and can transform parental engagement. Using the app is so simple that even the least tech-savvy teachers can update it.
As Ofsted is becoming more and more focused on parental communication and engagement, the School Jotter app makes sure schools effectively meet the requirements that helps them get an outstanding rating.
This application is built by Webanywhere and is part of the School Jotter suite of products. To find out more visit https://www.schooljotter.com/ or call them on 0113 320 0750.