School Gateway

Making communication easier, faster and more effective

We are always looking for ways to communicate better with parents as well as reducing our carbon footprint and, after a review of our current home/school communication methods, we have taken the decision to implement a new system, SchoolGateway. We believe this system will provide a more cost-effective solution for both the school and parents, providing a two-way communication to report your child’s absence or simply as a more reliable way to receive correspondence from the school. 

In addition, using the SchoolGateway app (which is available free for both Apple and Android phones), means two-way communication is also free (if the app is not used your normal text charges will apply). Instructions to install this App are outlined below:

What is SchoolGateway?

School Gateway is the parent portal (app and website) made by Schoolcomms, that provides a single point of contact that allows parents to receive messages, pay for items including school meals, conduct reports and other information about your child from school and react to those notifications free of charge.

What features will SchoolGateway enable me to access?

This system will enable you to see valuable information about your child at any time and can be viewed online, or if you have an Apple or Android device, on your smartphone using the SchoolGateway app.

You will be able to view the following information about your child(ren) using SchoolGateway:

• View achievement, behaviour and attendance information about your child
• View your child(ren)’s lesson timetable
• Keep up to date with the latest information about your child(ren)
• Notify us of any reason for their absence
• Check and update your contact details and those we hold for your child(ren)
• Make payments via Instant Bank Transfer, debit or credit card
• View lunch balances
• Give online consent for activities such as school trips
• Messaging*

* If you download the SchoolGateway app, this will also enable FREE two-way communication between yourself and the school which will assist us in reducing the amount of money we spend each year on text messages.

How do I access the SchoolGateway?

Setting up a School Gateway account is quick and simple. Whether you are accessing School Gateway by the app or the website, you will be guided through the set up on your chosen device. 

What you need to do now

Download the app: If you have a smartphone, please download School Gateway from your app store (Android and iPhone). The app shows the same information as the website PLUS you can send app messages to the school for FREE – this will also save the school money when we send text messages.

OR

Visit the website: www.schoolgateway.com and click on ‘New User’. You’ll receive a text message with a PIN number. Use this PIN to login to School Gateway. 

THEN

• Once downloaded or via the website, select the “I’m a New User” button; enter your email address and mobile number that we have on record for you.
• Select Send PIN and a PIN number will be text to your mobile phone
• Log in with your email address and the PIN
• Your account is now active and you will receive instant notifications of messages in your notifications bar

I can’t activate my account?

The school will use the email address and mobile number that we hold for the Priority one contact(s). If you want to confirm that we have your correct data please email the school, admin@droylsdenacademy.com or telephone on 0161 301 7600. 

If you’re having trouble activating your School Gateway account, it may be because we don’t have your current email and mobile  phone number on record. Please contact us using the details above and we’ll update the details on our system. 

Parents who do not wish to be involved in communicating with the school in this way are asked to confirm their exclusion in writing.

Why download the SchoolGateway app?

If you have a smartphone, both you and the school can save money when you download the ‘School Gateway’ app from your app store (Android and iPhone). Once you’ve downloaded the app, our texts will be delivered to you as instant app messages, saving us
the cost of texting. Any messages that you send to school using the app will be FREE of charge to you too. It’s quick and easy to do, and will also save the school money on administration time, printing and paper.

We’re aiming to get as many parents as we can using the app – please help us achieve this.

I have the app but why am I not getting notified of new messages?

Remember to allow “Push Notifications” when you install the app, so you get a notice each time we send you a message. Failure to do this will result in our message being delivered to your device but without you notified until you open the app.

When will I have to stop using ParentPay?

As a school, we have used ParentPay successfully for a number of years now. ParentPay have recently merged with SchoolComms, the provider of SchoolGateway and now we believe SchoolGateway provides us with many more features which we both can benefit from, including paying for items, all from the ease of your smartphone or web browser. We aim to switch all parents/carers on to SchoolGateway by September 2018 and switch the ParentPay system off at the same time.  All monies that you have in your ParentPay account that hasn’t been allocated will be refunded to you. 

Schoolcomms’ Data Processing Agreement

We are pleased to confirm that Schoolcomms’ is compliant with new GDPR legislation that has recently come into place. The SchoolComms Data Processing Agreement and Privacy Notice can be found on their website – schoolcomms.com/schoolcomms-and-gdpr

All information you provide will be kept private and will not be passed on to any other organisation. Your details will only be used for the purpose of school business. You will not receive any SPAM or third-party marketing materials. 

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the school using the details above.