As Bett, the biggest education technology show in the world opens its doors at ExCeL London next week, research from Capita SIMS has revealed that over half of parents* want their primary school to send information about their child home through an app or mobile-enabled web portal.

Graham Cooper, head of product strategy at Capita SIMS, says: “Smartphones have radically transformed our lives. We can hail a taxi, order a takeaway and listen to our favourite song in a few taps. But now, parents are demanding the same technology to revolutionise the way they communicate with their child’s school too.”

Anthony Mayo, a parent of two primary school children, concurs: “As a working parent, I would love information about my children available on my phone. Finding a suitable time to speak to teachers can be difficult. It would be far more convenient to be able to access information about progress in each subject at the touch of a button.”

The survey also revealed the extent that primary schools had adopted different forms of communication technology so far.

Almost half of primary schools (48 per cent) were offering updates to parents online through a portal, and 37 per cent offered updates by text. However, only 32 per cent offered a mobile app or mobile-enabled website.

Graham Cooper continues: “With an app, a parent can access information about their child’s progress during their lunchbreak on their smartphone, allowing them to help with learning at home. Having alerts sent to tell parents that Jemma has a spelling test on Friday, that Jane did great in her maths project or that Ravi needs to bring his PE kit tomorrow are something that most busy parents would wish for and something that apps can deliver.”

Capita SIMS will be exhibiting at Bett on stand B190 showcasing a full range of methods for communicating with parents, including apps, portals, email and texting. The SIMS systems which include the SIMS Parent app, SIMS Student app and SIMS InTouch use existing information that teachers and school staff have recorded in their SIMS management information system. It means that schools can update parents without impacting on teacher workload.

ENDS

Ref: CAP1899

Notes to the editor:

• The survey was undertaken by Opinion Matters. 1,014 parents with children at state primary schools in England were interviewed as well as 850 teachers at state primary schools in England.
• * 54 per cent of parents wanted information sent to their mobile via app or through a mobile friendly portal if their child’s primary school did not already offer this facility.
• Bett takes place at ExCeL London from 25-28 January.

Press contact:To arrange interviews, for further information or images, please contact, Olga Hadjilambri, Catherine Lane PR, 2nd Floor, 145-157 St John Street, London, EC1V 4PY.

Tel: 020 8351 2542. Email: olga@catherinelane.com