# parentsportal.scot > Online school communication and information portal for parents in Scottish local authorities. (iPhone/iPad app by Improvement Service Company.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parentsportalscot/id1670563383 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Improvement Service Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/1493380321) - Category: Education - Price: Free - Rating: 4.40/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 72 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.6 · 27 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2023-06-19 - Data updated: 2026-09-06 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parentsportalscot/id1670563383/reviews.md ## What is parentsportal.scot? Designed by the Improvement Service for Scottish Local Authorities, using mygovscot myaccount as a secure single-sign-on service, parentsportal.scot App replaces letters in the schoolbag and phonecalls to the school by connecting parents directly with their child's school online. Parents of children in Scottish schools that use parentsportal.scot have easy access to services and information, such as: • Absences Tell the school your child will be absent without a phonecall at 9am. • Annual Data Check Update your child's details quickly and easily at any time. • Attendance Check your child's attendance record for the current school year. • Class Timetable See what classes your child has each day. • Notice Board Read school notices at a time that suits you. • Permission Slips View and respond to permission slips easily. • Report Cards Check your child's report cards. • School Calendar and Events See upcoming school events, holidays, in-service days, etc. Now with the app you also benefit from: • Notifications Straight to your phone so you're always up to date. • Face ID or Fingerprint login For easy and secure access to the app. parentsportal.scot is available in: • Aberdeenshire • Dumfries & Galloway • Dundee • East Dunbartonshire • East Lothian • East Renfrewshire • Fife • Glasgow • Inverclyde • Moray • North Lanarkshire • Perth & Kinross • Renfrewshire • South Lanarkshire • West Lothian (Not all features are available in all council areas). ## Key features - Report absences online - Update child's details - View attendance records - Access class timetables - Read school notices - Respond to permission slips - Check report cards - Receive notifications ## What do users think of parentsportal.scot? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 💡 Great idea for communication - 👍 Easy to access (sometimes) - 👍 All information in one place - 👍 Good idea for school communication - 👍 Efficient communication with school **Cons** - 🐛 Submit button often greyed out - 🐛 App is clunky and not user-friendly - 🐛 Doesn't support equal parenting rights - 🐛 Submit/save buttons not highlighted - 🐛 App doesn't work properly - 🐛 Notifications often do not disappear - 🐛 Constantly told to update information - 🐛 Links to external sites not useful - 🐛 App doesn't work half the time - 🐛 Only allows one parent to sign permissions - 🐛 Difficult to work with - 🐛 Not easy to find things - 🐛 Tricky to switch between children - 🐛 Can't add reason for illness - 🐛 App crashes and closes - 🐛 Face ID/passcode login issues - 🐛 Add child not working - 🐛 Links not clickable - 🐛 First impression horrific - 🐛 Lost information when editing - 🐛 Adding new contact doesn't work - 🐛 Dropdown list doesn't appear - 🐛 No feedback on save failures - 🐛 Mobile responsiveness not great - 🐛 Last question requires selection not applicable - 🐛 Poorly executed app - 🐛 Non-existent user experience - 🐛 Submit button inaccessible - 🐛 Edit does not allow changes to be saved - 🐛 Two notifications shown and won't go away - 🐛 Report cards not available - 🐛 Report card text too small - 🐛 Limited and not customizable services - 🐛 No custom order for bookmarks - 🐛 Search feature limited - 🐛 Dead end processes - 🐛 Children's details constantly drop off - 🐛 No longer getting notifications - 🐛 No ability to mark, move, delete, or archive notices - 🐛 Duplicate emails for same notification - 🐛 Emails where unable to act - 🐛 Inability to have nominated parents respond - 🐛 Always an issue, bugs required to use - 🐛 Creates significant co-parenting challenges - 🐛 Undermines co-parenting arrangements - 🐛 Can't gain access to child's details - 🐛 Frustrating to sign in every month - 🐛 Disconnected from school communication - 🐛 Legacy of notifications can't clear - 🐛 Disregards second parent - 🐛 Not the main contact message - 🐛 100s of email notifications - 🐛 Logged out all the time - 🐛 Notifications don't open/work - 🐛 Second child disappeared - 🐛 Password requirements absurd - 🐛 Cumbersome with many annoying features - 🐛 Too many notifications - 🐛 No way to reduce notifications - 🐛 Repetition of information on permissions - 🐛 Initial setup confusing - 🐛 Not updated quick enough - 🐛 Little guidance from school - 🐛 Clunky and always issues - 🐛 Never works, black screen - 🐛 Validation code not sent - 🐛 Ages to register - 🐛 User unfriendly and badly designed - 🐛 Constantly glitches with errors - 🐛 App keeps freezing - 🐛 Unnecessary repetition of information - 🐛 Poor user friendliness - 🐛 Login process abysmal - 🐛 Password requirements bonkers - 🐛 Slow system with buffering - 🐛 Treatment clauses text not fully shown - 🐛 Only 1 parent/carer can access - 🐛 Messages lack formatting - 🐛 No clickable links in messages - 🐛 Pinch-to-zoom issues - 🐛 No notification badges on app icon - 🐛 Blank screen after login - 🐛 Many attempts to get on - 🐛 Site is dreadful - 🐛 Piece of rubbish - 🐛 Takes 20+ minutes for content to show - 🐛 Rubbish app - 🐛 Tedious app, repeating information - 🐛 Missing child details - 🐛 Useless people, cannot manage data - 🐛 Terrible app, never works - 🐛 Kids details different from school info - 🐛 Huge drain on time - 🐛 Access is difficult, authenticating every time - 🐛 Constantly asking to reset password - 🐛 Not updating details **Commonly reported bugs** - Submit button greyed out - Submit and save buttons not highlighted - App doesn't respond to interaction - Notifications do not disappear - Notifications don't happen sometimes - Constantly told to update information already updated - App doesn't work half the time - App crashes and closes - Face ID/passcode login not working - Add child not working - Links shared not clickable - Lost information when editing - Adding new contact doesn't work - Dropdown list of options doesn't appear - No feedback on save failures - Edit does not allow changes to be saved - Two notifications shown and won't go away - Report cards not available - Report card text too small to read - Children's details constantly drop off - Not getting notifications for new messages - Duplicate emails for same notification/child - Emails where unable to act - Inability to have nominated parents/guardians/carers respond - Always an issue, bugs required to use - Logged out all the time - Notifications don't open/work - Second child disappeared from app - Password requirements are absurd - Too many notifications - No obvious way to reduce notifications - Repetition of information on permissions - Not updated quick enough - Clunky and always issues - Never works, black screen on launch - Validation code not sent to email - Ages to register due to exact spelling requirements - Constantly glitches with errors - App keeps freezing - Unnecessary repetition of information - Login process abysmal, doesn't retain password - Slow system with buffering - Treatment clauses text not fully shown - Only 1 parent/carer can access app - Messages lack formatting, no line breaks - Blank screen after login page - Many attempts to get on - Site is dreadful and doesn't function - Takes 20+ minutes for published content to show - Tedious app, repeating same information - Missing child details, daughter removed by glitch - Terrible app, never works - Kids details different from school info - Access to app difficult, authenticating every time - Constantly asking to reset password - Not updating details **Most requested features** - Store/save certain information - Allow both parents equal access and approval - Add option for parents happy for all platforms - Allow custom order for bookmarks - Add custom services - Improve search functionality - Mark all messages as read - Ability to mark, move, delete, or archive notices - Nominated parents/guardians/carers to respond - Allow formatting in messages - Allow clickable links in messages - Improve pinch-to-zoom and rotate view on images - Add notification badges to app icon - Allow messages to be marked as unread again - Option to choose notification delivery (app, email, none) - Allow parents to choose which parent has access - Allow parents to decide which parent has access ## Recent user reviews (10 of 72) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parentsportalscot/id1670563383/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Unusable *2026-08-13* Complete waste of time and unusable app. Obviously ill thought through and rushed. I have two children at two schools (high and primary) and only one of us (parents) can actually fully utilise the system. First child has moved to high school and details are incorrect so we can’t register without following up with the school. My child hasn’t changed name over the summer so the usual inability to transfer basic data through the council system has once again come to fore. I don’t know why we pay council tax as it just appears to be wasted at every opportunity! ### 4/5 — Much Improved but…. *2026-06-02* I thought the updated app was much easier to use and having face recognition negates the need to bounce the gov website so well done to the engineering updates. One minor improvement might be to automate the capital letter when entering names, etc. I kept having to go back and capitalise letters. Other than that, well done all 👏 ### 1/5 — Timetable *2026-05-20* Of course the schools won’t give the kids paper copies of their new timetable so I’ll have to print it off the portal. Is there actually a way to get it to fit onto one sheet of paper or does my son really have to carry round 2/3 sheets of paper?? Normally u just took a photo of the week and the kids put it o t heir phone wallpaper. Kinda useless if u can’t format it onto one sheet. ### 1/5 — Not user friendly *2026-05-16* This is no quicker than the hand written letters sent home. The amount of tick boxes and repeat information required puts you off as soon as there is a notification that a form is required. Surely it could have an update for additional Contact to select a person that is used regularly ### 2/5 — Checks *2026-04-28, version 2.3.1* I have approved checks but activity is still there ### 1/5 — Submit button greyed out a lot / Coukd be more user friendly *2026-03-31, version 2.3.1* I find that the submit button is greyed out too often, hence unable to submit. Always inputting the same old stuff so would be good if certain information could be stored/saved …could be more user friendly. ### 1/5 — Not user friendly *2026-02-25, version 2.3.1* The whole set up is clunky and doesn’t flow. Really needs reimagined. ### 1/5 — Not fit for purpose *2026-02-25, version 2.3.1* The app doesn’t support equal parenting rights. If this was a joint bank account both account holders would need to agree before a transaction could be made. And yet for co-parents using this app, one parent is excluded in their right to agree to permission. ### 1/5 — Not user friendly *2026-02-24, version 2.3.1* Submit and save buttons not highlighted therefore cannot complete the form. ### 1/5 — Great idea. Poor execution *2026-02-06* Logging in every 45 days to prevent having to re register is well nigh impossible when there is no content to log in for and the app doesn’t work properly. Today I can open it but no button responds to any interaction. No errors. No explanation. It’s just playing dumb like a truant child. How appropriate. Notifications often do not disappear. Notifications don’t happen too, sometimes. Constantly being told to update information that has already been updated is not helpful. Looks like a lot of functionality but mostly it’s just links to external sites which aren’t useful meaning much of it is just clutter. Shame. It’s a great idea in principle. ## Frequently asked questions about parentsportal.scot ### What does parentsportal.scot do? parentsportal.scot is an app designed to connect parents directly with their child's school online. It replaces traditional methods like letters and phone calls, offering a secure platform for accessing school information and services. ### What are the key features of parentsportal.scot? Key features include reporting absences, updating your child's details, checking attendance records and report cards, viewing class timetables, reading school notices, and responding to permission slips. The app also provides notifications for updates. ### Is parentsportal.scot free to use? Yes, the parentsportal.scot app is free for parents to use. It is designed to provide easy and direct access to school information and services without any cost to the user. ### Which Scottish local authorities support parentsportal.scot? The app is available in several Scottish local authority areas, including Aberdeenshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Fife, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Moray, North Lanarkshire, Perth & Kinross, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, and West Lothian. However, not all features may be available in every council area. ### How does parentsportal.scot improve communication between parents and schools? It streamlines communication by offering a centralized online platform for essential school information and tasks. Parents can report absences, update details, and access academic information anytime, reducing the need for phone calls or physical letters. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.3.2 — 2026-08-19 General bug fixes and enhancements ### 2.3.1 — 2025-12-15 General bug fixes and enhancements ### 2.3.0 — 2025-10-23 General bug fixes and enhancements. ### 2.2.9 — 2025-06-16 General bug fixes and enhancements. ### 2.2.8 — 2025-02-15 General bug fixes and enhancements. ## Apps similar to parentsportal.scot | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Sumdog](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sumdog/id1145809959) | 4.2 (1,553) | Free | Education | | [School App for Parents](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/school-app-for-parents/id1309721219) | — | Free | Education | | [Eduspot](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eduspot/id787308623) | 4.2 (9) | Free | Education | | [Learning Journals ParentZone](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learning-journals-parentzone/id1482395353) | — | Free | Education | | [Scot Ed](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scot-ed/id1363926439) | — | Free | Education | | [Parent Portal](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parent-portal/id1195924926) | 1.6 (7) | Free | Education | ## More apps by Improvement Service Company - [myaccount Authenticator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/myaccount-authenticator/id1493380322) - [Young Scot](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/young-scot/id6740483444) All apps by Improvement Service Company: https://appshunter.io/developer/1493380321 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-06.*