The Challenge
Riverside Primary School faced persistent barriers in home–school communication due to significant socio-economic challenges, a high proportion of pupils with additional needs, and language or accessibility obstacles. With 70% of pupils eligible for Pupil Premium, 75% classified as disadvantaged, and 52% with special educational needs, the school struggled to consistently engage all parents. Traditional approaches (paper letters, SMS, and phone calls) were costly and inefficient, requiring staff to repeatedly chase responses, manage lost consent forms, and dedicate valuable time away from core teaching activities.
“We’re one of only a few schools in our area working within a community facing significant socio-economic challenges. Our families have complex needs, so communication is absolutely key. We’re always looking for effective ways to connect with parents, because it isn’t always straightforward.”
The Solution
Recognising the need to modernise and centralise their communications, Riverside Primary School explored digital platforms to streamline parent engagement. After evaluating their options, the school selected ReachMoreParents by Weduc for its user-friendly interface, comprehensive feature set, and dedicated UK-based support. As Katy from Riverside Primary School shares:
"We were spending a lot of money on texts and still not getting through to everyone. We'd triple our admin time chasing parents, making follow-up calls, and trying to confirm attendance for events. It was inefficient and exhausting."
The transition to Weduc allowed the school to digitise forms and consent letters, automate reminders, and send targeted messages via a secure app, reducing administrative overhead and improving reach. Katy further notes,
"It was cost-effective, easy to use, and every time we've needed help, support has been brilliant. You can actually speak to someone who understands schools, which makes a huge difference."
The Results
Since implementing ReachMoreParents by Weduc, Riverside Primary School has seen immediate and sustained improvements. Digital consent forms and communication have replaced time-consuming paper processes, with Katy stating,
"Forms and consent letters are all done digitally now, which saves huge amounts of time. We can collect safeguarding consents in minutes instead of sending home bits of paper that get lost."
Messaging costs have dropped as the school moved away from SMS, and administrative staff report substantial time savings that can be redirected to supporting students and teaching. Communication around events is more effective, and parental engagement rates have risen, helping to build a more connected and supportive community.
“Our parents picked it up quickly, especially because so many are used to Facebook. Engagement shot up straight away.”
One of the biggest wins came from improving communication around events and celebrations leading to a bigger sense of community and parent involment and excitement for school life and goings on.
“We shared the news that we’d won a £5,000 Tesco Stronger Starts grant, and it got more likes and engagement than anything we’ve ever posted. Parents were genuinely excited. It’s great for building community pride.”
ReachMoreParents also helped with everyday updates:
“For Red Nose Day, we sent one message through the app and knew everyone got it. Before, we’d have had to chase, send letters, make calls now every child came in wearing red.”
Katy believes the app has strengthened relationships with parents and reinforced the school’s sense of community.
“The school sits at the heart of a very close community, and this platform has helped us bring families closer. Parents now ask, ‘Why isn’t that on the app?’ which shows how much they rely on it.”
As Katy concludes,
“It’s been a fantastic addition to our school. The whole process from setup to ongoing support has been brilliant. Communication is smoother, parents are more engaged, and our sense of community is stronger than ever.”
Riverside Primary School’s adoption of the platform has transformed how they engage with parents, saving time, reducing costs, and strengthening community connections. The school is now able to communicate efficiently, involve families more effectively, and focus on what matters most: supporting their pupils to thrive.
