Thousands could be saved by schools merging 'Old School' Text Message Systems with a Parent App

There are now a number of ways and systems schools use to send to parents news and information enabling communicaton to be quicker and more frequent. Over the years, though, the world of technology and therefore technology used in education has changed beyond recognition to what it was say 20 years ago. Habits have changed both at home and in the school office.

One communication form that schools continue to use but many of us have moved away from, is that of Text Messaging or SMS.

In 2012, over 160 billion text messages were sent in the UK; however, year on year thereafter, that number has been in steady declined, with almost half that number sent in 2017, at just over 80 billion. 

The main reason why many Schools still continue to embrace Text Messaging is that it is used as part of their Severe Weather Policy to ensure a 100% of parents/carers are reached quickly should a School have to close. But there is a problem with this, Text Messaging costs Schools and ​providers of such systems, make millions from cash strapped Schools through charging for Text Messages. 

The reason for this is that every provider of a Text Message service to Schools has to pay to send out those text messages. They, therefore, pass this cost plus their mark up onto Schools. Schools either pay for the cost of Text Messages upfront, receive a monthly bill for those Text Messages sent or sign up to "Unlimited Texting" and pay a much higher annual subscription, which can sometimes run into thousands each and every year. 

But there are alternatives, combining free App messaging and Text messaging (for those parents who haven't downloaded the School App) ensures schools are charged less and if used throughout the year in that way could save Schools thousands each year and every year. It also ensures that for those messages that are considered urgent, such as school closure due to bad weather, 100% of parents are still notified and can react accordingly. 

Communicating with parents shouldn’t stretch an already tight school budget. School App from Maged combines free App Messaging with Text Messaging, plus free emails and it has been designed by Teachers, Governors and experts in School-home communication. With price plans from Zero Cost, the latest technology is used to improve parental engagement, whilst saving schools thousands.

When parents use just one App to manage all school communications, they immediately associate those notifications with their school and know they can trust the information they receive. This means parents are more likely to pick up messages quickly and respond as required. Schools using the App can provide parents with all the necessary information for the subject at hand, from sharing photos and from recent school trips, informing parents about events and even linking on the App to all the other systems a school may use such as their payment system, homework system, rewards system and parents evening booking.

​With everything in one place on the App, this can help to build a stronger relationship between home and school, ensuring parents feel informed about news whether urgent or not regarding their child and can quickly access all the other parent-facing systems a school may have and use. Find out more at www.maged.cc