A NEW digital platform has been launched to help parents and carers connect with East Renfrewshire’s schools.

Mums and dads who have kids at primary or secondary schools in the area can now sign up to a ‘Parents Portal’ that aims to offer a clear insight into their child’s education.

Designed to create a digital relationship between pupils, parents and teachers and replace the traditional ‘school bag run,’ the parentsportal.scot new initiative provides access to a range of services.

The launch of the first phase of the project has supported communication between families and East Renfrewshire’s schools during the challenging coronavirus pandemic, enabling staff to stay in touch with parents.

Councillor Paul O’Kane, East Renfrewshire’s education and equalities convener, told the Barrhead News: “This is an exciting new initiative which aims to create an online relationship between parents, carers, pupils and schools via through a secure digital account.

“We know that family life is busy, so the portal allows them to engage with the school in a whole new way, whether it’s by keeping personal details updated or accessing online school payments all in one place at a time which suits them.

“Further enhancements will add more features to the system, including absence reporting and links to parents’ night booking systems, so I would encourage every family with a digital device to sign up and get involved.”

Parents can sign in using a secure online account through mygov.scot and view information about their child’s school and education.

This provides them with access to the school’s calendar and events, as well as their child’s attendance record and report card. They can also make online school payments through a link to ParentPay.

For further information, visit here.