Getting started guide

Please Note: This article applies only to schools using Parent Hub linked with an MIS

We know there's lots to take in during the initial training call, so we've put together this series of next steps as a guide to helping you launch Parent Hub at your school.

Where necessary, we've included a link to a more detailed explanation of each step - we hope you find it useful.

The Parent Hub Team

1. Save portal.parenthub.co.uk to Favourites in your browser

This is the web address you'll need to visit every time you login.

We recommend accessing Parent Hub using Google Chrome, but it'll work on all other major browsers as well.

2. Create Channels and link them to groups in your MIS

Channels act as individual notice boards where you can post messages to groups of parents.

You can create as many as you like, for any purpose that you like. As a starting point we suggest creating one for every year group (and class, depending on the size of your school), and linking each to the corresponding group in your MIS.

Guide: Linking a channel in Parent Hub to groups in your MIS

3. Use Healthcheck to help tidy up data in Integris as necessary

The Healthcheck area helps you identify any issues with your MIS student contact data.

Remember, the aim of the game is for the tables to be empty; an empty table means parents won't encounter any issues when trying to register on the app.

Guide: Identifying issues with parent data in your MIS

4. Invite other members of staff to join your school

Now that you're set up on Parent Hub, we recommend sharing the love with your colleagues and inviting them to improve communication with parents as well!

Every member of staff can have their own separate account. You'll have full control over everyone's role and privilege level, and you'll get a full view of every message that's sent out.

Guide: Setting up Parent Hub accounts for other members of staff

5. Check your sending preferences

Parent Hub helps you send messages, pictures, newsletters and other documents to every parent right from the start. Parents on the app will get a push notification, whilst those not yet registered receive a text message instead.

There's a cost for sending messages via SMS, but we have good news - as parents register and on the app and verify their accounts, you'll automatically stop sending them texts and switch to app messages only (which are FREE)! 

Out of the box, Parent Hub uses SMS to reach your priority 1 contacts, but you can customise exactly who receives your messages using the guide below.

Guide: How to set up SMS & email for priority 1 contacts

6. Send parents a welcome message and invite them to download the Parent Hub app

You're all set!

There are a few ways to invite parents to register for the app and follow your school (see the link below), but schools tell us the most effective way is to text them the instructions directly to their smartphone.

Guide: Launching Parent Hub

Lastly, don't be a stranger! If we can help at all please don't hesitate to get in touch. We're on email at support@parenthub.co.uk, or by phone on 0161 202 4141.