# parentsportal.scot — user reviews > 72 indexed App Store user reviews of parentsportal.scot by Improvement Service Company, rated 4.40/5 from 7 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parentsportalscot/id1670563383/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parentsportalscot/id1670563383.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 5 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 0 ## 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 ## Newest reviews (16 of 72) ### 2/5 — Checks *2026-04-28, version 2.3.1* I have approved checks but activity is still there ### 1/5 — Not good *2025-10-09, version 2.2.9* Very difficult to work. Not easy to find where things are. Tricky to switch between different children ### 3/5 — It’s ok *2025-09-29, version 2.2.9* App sometimes can’t add reason for illness. And then when you type you can’t hit the submit button. Took me 5 attempts to log an absence ### 1/5 — Crashes and closes *2025-09-13* The app constantly crashes and closes of its own accord meaning you have to switch your phone on and off to log in. Many things do not work as they should ie Face ID, passcode login, Add child, links that are shared aren’t able to be clicked on and followed as should. It’s just not up to scratch to enable you to keep up to date with school comms. Worst thing ever as it slows everything down and my kiddo has missed things due to some of these issues. ### 1/5 — First impression horrific *2025-09-12* First time I’ve used and I’ve just spent the best part of an hour trying to fill in a simple permission form for school outings. The Submit button kept being greyed out even though I’d filled in all of the obligatory sections, until I kept deleting them and filling them out in different orders and finally it stopped being greyed out. One obligatory section was only applicable if you had prescribed medication to be administered be staff - I did not, but had to fill it in with dummy answers. Sections with an “Edit” button eg which related to my profile, eg child’s medical conditions and my personal details, which I’d previously updated and had received and email about, saying updates had been accepted by the school but weren’t showing up as updated - when I clicked on Edit to update the info as part of the permission form, it took me directly to my profile and I was then unable to go back to the permission form and lost all the information I’d already filled in! This happened repeatedly. What a waste of a morning. ### 3/5 — Not fully functional *2025-09-10, version 2.2.9* Adding a new contact for child doesn’t work properly. Not able to search for an address because the drop down list of options doesn’t appear. Adding address manually works but nothing is able to save unless you add more than “Day Phone” and none of the other phone options are marked as mandatory. Day phone doesn’t appear in the list of preferred contact options. No feedback on what has not been completed when the entry fails to save. Sloppy development and testing. These are fundamentals that should have been picked up. ### 2/5 — Last question *2025-08-18* The last question requires you to state what platform you would not wish your child’s image to be shown. You need to select one for the application to be submitted. However I am happy for my child’s image to be used in all but to actually submit the form I had to select one. You will need to add another option for parents that are happy for all platforms to be used. ### 1/5 — Embarrassing *2025-08-15, version 2.2.9* One of the most poorly executed apps I’ve ever used. Someone’s getting paid a lot of money probably for very very little I suspect. Hard to know where to start. Non existent user experience consideration, 9 times out of 10, you get to the end of a form … which is a like being transported to 2007, and the submit button is t accessible ( not because you’ve missed a part of the form) or you can’t even reach it because the keyboard is still active and you can’t minimise it. Schools need an alternative to this. ### 1/5 — Save not working *2025-08-14, version 2.2.9* Edit does not allow changes to be save to complete waste of time. ### 2/5 — Not great *2025-06-21* The app has showed 2 notifications since I downloaded it. These are the same notifications and won’t go away, been over a month now and that’s very annoying. Was told report cards were to be available on Friday. They are not there. Good idea but needs the flaws sorted. Runs quicker than expressions. ### 1/5 — Rubbish App *2025-05-29, version 2.2.8* Never accepts password, forms are so long drawn out, those stupid drop downs don’t exactly show show you something needs done so if you can’t submit you have to go through everythkng to find what you miss rather than showing you. ### 1/5 — Report card feature useless *2025-05-28, version 2.2.8* Report card now available on app. Unable to read the content of the report as text is too small and could find no way to enlarge it. I tried to use the magnifying lens button but it did nothing. ### 1/5 — Very limited and not customisable *2025-05-25* Under “Your Services” there are only 7 websites. Every link works but I can’t organise them. App doesn’t allow move the bookmarks and when I click “favourites” the bookmarks are on the top but not in the order I want them to be. For example when I add to favourites SeeSaw and then Parentzone, Parentzone goes first on the list. There is alphabetical order but why don’t you allow a custom order? Another irritating thing about the app is lack of ability to add custom services( for example Mumsnet). The search feature is also limited to a very few services listed under “My services”, doesn’t suggest and doesn’t search for anything else - when I click “search” I can only search for the website listed among the 7 websites linked by you. ### 1/5 — No user testing, dead end processes *2025-05-25, version 2.2.8* No user testing, dead end processes ### 2/5 — Parent *2025-05-22, version 2.2.8* Great idea, however not very user friendly and my children’s details constantly drop off ### 1/5 — Poor Communication *2025-04-29, version 2.2.8* I am no longer getting a notification that there are new messages on the portal, leading to missed emails/messages. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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! ### 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 ### 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. ### 1/5 — Parent portal fail *2025-11-10, version 2.3.0* This is the worst app and doesn’t work half the time ### 1/5 — Seperated parents *2025-11-06, version 2.3.0* As seperstated parent this spp only sllow one parent to sign permission slips. Even though both parents have equal parental responsibility ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Mr *2025-10-10, version 2.2.9* Parents portal.Scot doing great job between school and parent communications very good idea ,As a parent I am very proud for miscommunication with myself and my children School Big thanks😀😄😸😺 ### 5/5 — St. Constantine’s primary *2025-08-05, version 2.2.9* Very easy to access ### 5/5 — Excellent Communication App *2025-02-18* Easy and quick way to communicate with school. Email to advise of permission slip, updated etc before hand is efficient and effective. ### 5/5 — Mrs Campbell *2024-12-13, version 2.2.7* Easy and quick to use all information in one place. ### 5/5 — Cumbersome with many annoying features *2024-09-03* There are too many notifications and there is no obvious way to reduce this or to change where the notifications go e.g. only to app, only email, none! When submitting permissions there is too much repetition and requests for information already given in the annual data check. This app makes me want to go back to receiving letters from the school for notifications and permission slips. Also the initial setup of the system is confusing and not seamless going between the other government sites. This app should alpha or beta tested with a group of parents before any further changes are made. ### 5/5 — Just discovered this *2023-11-17* Amazing app, great idea and everything is to hand for all of my children in one place! I had no idea there was and app so I think schools could make this a little clearer for other parents who may not know also. Thank you for making my life so much easier x ### 5/5 — Useless app *2023-11-07, version 2.2.2* Useless people. If you can’t manage online data why the using it. You stupid people. Annoying. ### 5/5 — Cannot find my child on system *2023-10-30, version 2.2.2* Huge drain on time ### 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 👏 ### 4/5 — Mobile responsiveness not great *2025-08-23, version 2.2.9* On iPhone the app isn’t particularly responsive and you can’t see some fields --- *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 2026-09-02.*