Parents and staff appreciate early information during the snowy weather
The number of messages delivered by SchoolPost's integrated texting service has soared during January as schools have made good use of it to keep parents and staff informed during the bad weather.
Early information about school closures and changes to transport plans has helped to avoid thousands of unnecessary and potentially dangerous journeys. Some schools have also taken advantage of the ability to send a positive message confirming that the school is open on days where there may have been some doubt, giving parents confidence that the journey will be worthwhile and that staff will be available onsite to receive their children.
"SchoolPost has been an absolute life saver during the snowy weather and we have had so many complimentary remarks from parents – and from staff! – about the early information we were able to send out so that unnecessary journeys were not made. And that I could do it at home in my dressing gown at 6am was even better!" commented Marianne Bradnock, Head of Information Services at Dulwich College.
Authorised staff can easily send a text message from school or home using any standard browser and internet connection. Parents are also automatically emailed the same message and have access to a private website where they can always view all their school messages - giving the school the best possible chance of getting the message through to the maximum number of parents, even where no mobile number is known or a parent has stated a preference for not receiving texts.
A new 'remote texting' feature launched this month also enables staff to send a message to a defined group of parents from any mobile phone - ideal for updates and important changes to timings or travel plans whilst out on a school trip.