9 reasons why your school or college needs its own Parent/Student App

​Having your own Parent/Student app (from Zero Cost) could help to solve some communication problems and improve your parental engagement. In addition, there are a number of other problems that a Parent/Student App can help to solve which just having a website or just having an Old School text messaging system won't:

1. Language barriers 
Most schools have hard-to-reach parents. For many, the language could be a barrier – as not all parents have English as their first language. With our Apps, the parent/student can choose which language they would like to read your information in and it translates it for them. We support over 100 languages. What better way to keep everyone informed and feeling included in their children’s education?

2. Information Underload 
Do you rely on parents checking your website to find information? How are they going to know when you put something new on there? Not many busy parents/students check the school/college website as often as you’d like. If you have an App then parents/students are alerted every time there’s something new – they get a push notification the minute you press submit.

3. Busy Parents
Over 95% of parents and students own a smartphone, with 75% of that time spent on Apps. At the same time over 90% of them have their phone within arms reach at all time, so when you have busy parents and students who are always on the go you can be sure to get your information straight to their pockets wherever they are!

4. Incorrect Parent Contact Information 
Not all parents or students are good at letting schools know when they have changed their email address or got themselves a new phone number – but if they have the app it won’t matter! They will still get all your messages, events and other information you make available in it.

5. Ofsted will be impressed 
Don’t forget: in order to be judged as outstanding by Ofsted you must show “highly successful strategies for engaging with parents and carers, to the very obvious benefit of students, including those who might traditionally find working with the school difficult.” Getting an App is a positive step you can take. 

6. Value for money 
Instead of having to pay per message (as with most text message systems) the school/college pays a yearly subscription and that can be from zero cost dependent on which price plan you go for.

Our price plans are a flat rate – no matter how many pupils you have or how many messages you send. The App is free for the parents to download. Have a look on our website to get a demo and see our price plans. 

7. Flexibility 
You are not limited to only 160 characters as with text messages – you can make your messages, events, news items as long as you like. If you have any larger documents such as timetables, lunch menus or newsletters on your website then these can also be made available in the app. All your information available right in the parent’s/student's pocket!

8. Centralise Systems
Sometimes it can be hard for Parents or Students to find the right system your school or colleges use. With our App links, icons can be created that will take them directly to the system which places everything literally at their fingertips. 

9. Control 
The App’s content is entirely controlled by you! No wasted time waiting around for some company to update your website or install you some software. We give you access to a simple web-based control panel so you can update your information from anywhere – you don’t even have to be in school to use it! There is no special hardware or software needed nor any special training! Of course, we’ll always be here to get you started or assist with any problems – but you are in control of the information.

You can get a free trial! Try it for 28 days and if it doesn’t work – don’t keep it! What have you got to lose? Visit the website www.maged.cc for details.