Schools

Research shows that children achieve more highly when their parents talk to them about their experience of school and learning. However, a recent report showed that 82% of parents felt 'left 'in the dark' when it comes to their child's schooling.

Using online reporting

Online reporting means parents are able to have secure online access to information on their child’s progress, achievement, attendance and behaviour. It enables parents to get closer to and support their child’s learning, enabling them to work with you as equal partners in improving learning outcomes for their child. This can be achieved through the effective use of established management information systems, without increasing the workload of teaching staff.

Online reporting expectations

Linked to plans outlined in the Children’s Plan, the expectations for online reporting were communicated to schools in June 2008 through a letter from Jim Knight, (former) Minister of State for Schools and Learners. The letter points out that ‘the focus should be on arrangements that are manageable in school, effective for staff and meaningful for parents focusing on the quality of information rather than the quantity’.