ParentMail: The Complete UK Guide for Parents and Schools

If your child’s school has asked you to download an app or check your email for important updates, you have probably heard of ParentMail. Perhaps you have received a registration link, or you are trying to figure out how to book a parents’ evening appointment online.

ParentMail is the UK’s leading school-to-home communication platform, used by over 6,000 schools, nurseries, and children’s clubs across the country. It connects schools with more than 4 million parents, making it the parental engagement service of choice for thousands of UK schools. This guide covers everything UK parents and schools need to know about ParentMail.

What Is ParentMail?

ParentMail is a powerful engagement system that bridges the gap between school and home, creating better outcomes for pupils. It is a cloud-based platform that allows schools to communicate with parents electronically, replacing traditional letters in school bags with instant digital messages.

The system was created in Cambridgeshire, England, in November 2001 by three fathers: Paul Hughes, Martin Temple, and Robert Morley. During a playground discussion about email and text messaging, they conceived the idea of electronic communications replacing the traditional letter in the school bag. ParentMail created the first dedicated system to enable mass communications between schools and parents.

Today, ParentMail is part of IRIS, a leading education software provider. It offers a range of cloud-based features that integrate seamlessly with a school’s Management Information System (MIS).

Key Features of ParentMail

ParentMail offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to make school communication and payments easier for everyone.

Instant Messaging and Notifications

Parents receive messages and notifications instantly. All communications are stored in a single mailbox, making it easy to keep track of school updates. Every message sent arrives as an instant alert on your mobile.

Online Form Collection

Schools can set up questions for parents and carers online, eliminating the need for paper forms sent home in school bags. Parents can complete forms, surveys, and provide consent online.

Online Payments (IRIS PlusPay)

ParentMail includes a flexible approach to online payments. Parents can make online payments through the mobile app, top up school meal accounts, and receive reminders and alerts about balances. Schools can create trips on ParentMail and allow parents to pay online through debit/credit card, PayPal, or PayPoint.

Parents’ Evening Manager

An innovative, easy-to-use system to manage, administrate, and streamline parents’ evenings. Parents can book appointments online, and teachers can receive comments from parents when booking.

Absence Reporting

Parents can record and provide reasons for student absences through the app.

Multiple Child Management

Parents with more than one child at a ParentMail school can manage everything through a single account.

How to Register for ParentMail

Receiving Your Invitation

If you are a new parent or carer, your child’s school will send you a registration link via email or text message. If you did not receive this, contact the school office to request another registration message.

Registering a New Account

1. Select either Register in the email or select the registration link in the text message.
2. Select I don’t have an account.
3. Check the details entered by the organisation that invited you to register.
4. Enter a password in New Password, then enter the same password in Confirm Password.
5. Select I have read and accept the Terms and Conditions, then select Complete Registration.
6. Select Let’s Go to view your account.

Registering if You Already Have an Account

If you have previously registered with ParentMail for another organisation, you can connect to your new child’s school using the same account. Select Manage Your Connections from the email or text message, select I already have an account, enter your email and password, then log in.

How to Log In to ParentMail

Web Login

Go to the IRIS ParentMail sign-in page at https://portal.parentmail.co.uk/auth/login or https://pmx.parentmail.co.uk/#core/login.

Your login is the email address to which you receive ParentMail messages. Enter your email address and password, then select Login.

Mobile App Login

ParentMail is available as a free mobile app, which provides a central location for all communications between the school and parents. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Log in with the email address and password you created during registration.

The ParentMail App: What You Can Do

The ParentMail app gives parents everything they need in one place:

• Receive messages and notifications instantly
• View all communications in a single mailbox
• Complete forms, surveys, and provide consent
• Make online payments and top up school meal accounts
• Book appointments for parents’ evenings
• Record and provide reasons for student absences
• View and organise calendars for each of your children
• Keep up to date with the school calendar

Benefits of ParentMail for Parents

Convenience

ParentMail brings everything into one place. Instead of juggling emails, paper forms, and cash for school trips, parents can manage everything through a single app. As one parent put it: “ParentMail is very good as I get emails to let me know if there are forms to fill in or trips to pay and I can see all things that are going on in school. I prefer ParentMail rather than paper”.

Real-Time Updates

Parents receive instant notifications about school news, events, and important updates. This means you never miss a message about your child’s school.

Easy Payments

Paying for school meals, trips, and clubs is quick and secure through the app. Parents can pay by debit/credit card, PayPal, or PayPoint.

No More Lost Letters

Paper forms and letters sent home in school bags often get lost. ParentMail ensures that important information reaches parents directly.

One Account for Multiple Children

If you have more than one child at a ParentMail school, you can manage everything through a single account.

Benefits of ParentMail for Schools

Cost Savings

Schools using ParentMail save substantial amounts of money. Astor College saved over £5,000 within their first year of using ParentMail. By sending texts, emails, online forms, and parents’ evening invitations electronically through one system, schools save hours of time and thousands of pounds.

Time Savings

Staff save hours of time by using one system for all communications and payments. As one school business manager noted: “Everything flows better in the office because it saves us time”.

Improved Parental Engagement

Schools using ParentMail see dramatic improvements in parental engagement. One school achieved 96% of parents registered with ease, while another had 92% of families signed up. Nearly 90% of parents said they thought ParentMail had improved school communication.

Paperless Parents’ Evenings

Within 48 hours of launching ParentMail, one school had 80% of parents able to book parents’ evening appointments online. Parents love the convenience, with one commenting: “Just booked the appointments for parent teacher interviews on ParentMail. So easy and convenient!”.

Secure Online Payments

Schools can collect money from parents electronically, eliminating the need to handle cash and cheques. The system creates a secure online audit trail that allows schools to provide financial information quickly and accurately.

ParentMail Reviews: What Parents and Schools Say

Parent Feedback

• 90% of parents said they thought online forms were easy to complete.
• Nearly 90% of parents said ParentMail had improved school communication.
• Parents appreciate the convenience of booking parents’ evening appointments online.

School Feedback

• “I absolutely love ParentMail and so do the parents, I would recommend it to anybody”.
• “Would we recommend ParentMail to other schools? Without a shadow of a doubt – yes!”.
• “I would recommend ParentMail to any school that is looking to improve parental engagement”.

ParentMail vs School Gateway (SchoolComms)

Some schools use School Gateway (also known as SchoolComms) instead of ParentMail. Here is how they compare:

Feature	ParentMail	School Gateway
Users	Over 6,000 UK schools	Used by many UK schools
Parents	Over 4 million parents	Similar reach
App	ParentMail app	School Gateway app
Payments	IRIS PlusPay	ParentPay integration
Parents’ Evening	Parents’ Evening Manager	Similar features

Some schools have moved from ParentMail to School Gateway, and others have moved in the opposite direction. Both systems offer similar core functionality, so it often comes down to school preference.

Troubleshooting Common ParentMail Issues

Not Receiving Emails

If you are not receiving ParentMail emails:

1. Check your junk or spam folder.
2. Add info@parentmail.co.uk to your email contacts or mark it as a safe sender.
3. Contact your school to confirm they have the correct email address.

Forgotten Password

If you forget your password:

1. Go to the login page and select Forgotten Password.
2. Enter your email address.
3. You will receive a reset password email from info@parentmail.co.uk.
4. Check your spam folder if you do not see it.
5. Select Reset Password and enter a new password.

Account Issues

If you continue to have problems, contact your school’s IRIS ParentMail administrator or use the Live Chat feature available within the app. Support is available by phone and web chat from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ParentMail?

ParentMail is a communication platform used by UK schools to send messages, collect payments, and manage parents’ evenings. It is used by over 6,000 schools and 4 million parents across the UK.

Is ParentMail free for parents?

Yes, the ParentMail app is free to download and use for parents.

How do I register for ParentMail?

Your child’s school will send you a registration link via email or text message. Follow the link to create your account.

How do I log in to ParentMail?

Go to https://pmx.parentmail.co.uk/#core/login or use the ParentMail app. Enter your email address and password.

Can I use ParentMail for multiple children?

Yes. You can manage all your children through a single ParentMail account.

What can I do on the ParentMail app?

You can receive messages, complete forms, make payments, book parents’ evening appointments, report absences, and view school calendars.

Is ParentMail secure?

Yes. ParentMail is a secure system used by thousands of UK schools and millions of parents. It is designed to protect personal and financial information.

What if I don’t receive ParentMail emails?

Check your spam folder and add info@parentmail.co.uk to your safe senders list. Contact your school if you still have problems.

Who created ParentMail?

ParentMail was created in Cambridgeshire, England, in November 2001 by three fathers: Paul Hughes, Martin Temple, and Robert Morley.

Can I unsubscribe from ParentMail?

Yes. Parents and carers can unsubscribe from or delete their IRIS ParentMail account at any time.

Conclusion

ParentMail has transformed how UK schools communicate with parents. From its humble beginnings as an idea on a Cambridgeshire playground to its current position as the parental engagement service of choice for over 6,000 schools and 4 million parents, ParentMail has become an essential tool for modern education.

For parents, it offers convenience, real-time updates, and a single place to manage all school communications and payments. For schools, it delivers significant cost and time savings, improved parental engagement, and a streamlined approach to administration.

Whether you are a parent trying to book a parents’ evening appointment or a school looking to improve communication with families, ParentMail provides a comprehensive solution that bridges the gap between school and home.

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