Following the successful launch of the redeveloped NCW website back in January 2020, the Marketing Team at NCW have been busy developing a number of secure sign in web portals to facilitate better communication and engagement across the organisation.
Working with creative agency, Gambit Nash, the new and improved external facing website is much more accessible, intuitive and engaging for the user. In comparison to analysis from January 2019 to January 2020, users on the new website have increased by 45% for the same period in 2021/22. The amount of page views has also increased by 52%, which is a result of NCW being able to manage the website content in-house and publish updates in a more timely manner.
In addition to the main NCW website, there is now access to a secure Parent Portal for parents and carers of students. This is a great tool to house important information such as policies and guidance, curriculum maps, residential and academic staff details as well as have the facility to book extra curriculum clubs and parent consultations online. It is designed to be a one-stop shop for parents and carers to access any information they need regarding their child and includes the links to individual student performance data and payments online.
The Parent Portal has already proved beneficial in minimising the amount of paper information that is sent out to new parents, and allowing for quicker communication and giving parents and carers around the country quick and easy access to school information.
One parent said: “The system was really easy to use. It was really helpful to receive the text and email prompt to remind me to complete it as I had forgotten.”
A secure Governor Portal has also been developed to enable the Governing Body of NCW to have a secure and confidential area in which they can share meeting documentation, training information and resources. Since Covid-19, many meetings have continued to run online and so having access to the portal means that Governors are able to easily access the same information and save time.
In addition, a Staff Portal is also in development – a central hub of employee information, a centre for training and safeguarding, and a secure area to house all policies and procedures. With NCW staff working differing hours, such as in care and during the school day, the new portal means that everyone can access what they need with ease.
It is anticipated that, over time, each of the areas will continue to grow and the creation of a new Website Administrator role will ensure the information remains up to date and fit for purpose.
Marketing Manager, Lorna Phillips, said: “We are really pleased with how the development of the portals is progressing. We are making huge improvements to the way we share information with our stakeholders and there is so much potential for the future, it is a really exciting time”
