Getting Started
This is a guide for getting started in ReachMoreParents. There are sections for both Administrators and Teachers. You will find a basic training video, initial tasks and some suggested content for each area.
We recommend you complete the Initial tasks to practice what you have learned from the basic training videos. This also includes some suggested content to give you some ideas for what you might want to add, based on how schools typically use that area.
Administrators
Newsfeed
Basic training
How to create a simple Newsfeed post
Initial Tasks and Suggested Content
Add some posts which are relevant to the whole school, such as:
- Photos of display work around school
- ‘Star of the Week’ assembly
- Visitors in school
- Fundraising events (eg, Comic Relief, Children In Need)
- ‘Welcome to Reach More Parents,’ ‘Welcome Back’ and ‘Happy Holiday’ messages
- Happy lunchtimes/playground buddies/snow fun
- Whole school events (eg, Christmas Enterprise Day, Science Week)
- Sports events (eg, Sports Day)
Calendar
Basic training
How to create a simple calendar event
Initial Tasks and Suggested Content
Add some dates to the calendar which are relevant to the whole school, such as:
- Term dates (including school holidays)
- INSET days
- Parents’ evenings
- Special lunches (eg, Christmas dinner)
- Whole school events (eg, Sports Day, School Photos)
Notices
Basic training
Initial Tasks and Suggested Content
Add some notices which are relevant to the whole school, such as:
- List of school term dates
- Timings for the school day
- Parents evening information/reminders
- Uniform lists
- Dress up day/non-uniform day (eg, World Book Day)
- Fundraising events
Forms
Basic training
How to publish a self-service form
Initial Tasks and Suggested Content
Publish a general self-service form for parents/staff using a Reach More Parents template, such as:
- Change of Contact Details
- Agreement for School to Administer Medicine
- Leave of absence request
- Photo/video permission
Messaging
Basic training
Initial Tasks and Suggested Content
Send a simple message. We recommend sending a message to another member of staff if you have no previous experience of using the Messaging area and suggest completing your advanced training before sending out messages to parents.
Register
Basic training
How to take an attendance register
Initial Tasks and Suggested Content
Take an attendance register for a registration group and submit it to your MIS (subject to available functionality from your MIS). Update an attendance register (if required).
The Hub
Basic training
How to share a weblink in The Hub
Initial Tasks and Suggested Content
Add some useful weblinks to support pupils with their learning, such as:
- BBC Bitesize
- My Maths
- Mathletics
- Topmarks
- Rising Stars
- TT Rockstars
- Oxford Owl
- Phonics Play
- Oak National Academy
- Active Learn Primary
Home Learning
Basic training
How to set a simple Home Learning task
Initial Tasks and Suggested Content
Set some homework in a simple format. For example, upload a file/image of the homework and set to ‘submit in class’ so pupils submit a hard copy of the task. Examples could include:
- Spellings
- Reading/comprehension
- Writing/grammar
- Maths/times tables
- Science
- Phonics
- Topic/foundation subjects
Absences
Basic training
How to process absence requests
Initial Tasks and Suggested Content
*There are no initial tasks or suggested content for absences, as you need a live absence request from a parent to be able to practice using this area.
Teachers
Basic training
Teacher Training
Initial Tasks and Suggested Content
Newsfeed
Add posts that are relevant to your class/group such as:
• Photos of display work in your classroom
• Class assemblies
• A visitor in school, working with your class
• School trips
• Photos of children’s work in a lesson
• Class fundraising/enterprise
Registers (depending on MIS)
Take an attendance register for a registration group/set and save/submit to MIS.
Messages
Send a simple message. We recommend sending a message to another member of staff if you have no previous experience of using the Messaging area before sending a message to parents. If you would like to learn more about the Messaging area, we recommend completing the advanced training on Messaging.