Ensuring that your school’s contact details are clearly displayed on your website is a fundamental requirement for transparency and accessibility. Whether your school maintains its own website or uses an alternative platform to host statutory information, it is crucial to comply with the latest school website requirements.

In this blog, we’ll explain exactly what contact details schools must publish, break down the specific requirements for maintained schools, academies, and FE colleges, and provide best practices for presenting this information effectively.

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Why School Contact Details Are Essential

Your school website serves as the primary gateway for communication between the school and its community. By publishing accurate and accessible contact details, you ensure:

1. Compliance: Schools are legally required to display certain contact information to meet statutory obligations.
2. Transparency: Easy-to-find contact details foster trust and confidence among parents, carers, and the public.
3. Accessibility: Clear contact information ensures that queries from parents and carers are directed to the right person or department quickly and efficiently.

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Statutory Requirements for Contact Details

Here’s a breakdown of what schools and academies are required to publish on their websites:

What All Schools Must Publish

Every school must include the following details:

• Postal Address: The full postal address of the school, ensuring parents and carers know where the school is located.
• Telephone Number: A primary contact number for reaching the school office or administration.
• Contact for Queries: The name of the member of staff responsible for dealing with queries from parents, carers, and the public.

What Maintained and Academy Schools Must Publish

In addition to the above, mainstream maintained and academy schools are required to publish:

• SENCO Contact Details: The name and contact details of the school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO).

What Academy Schools and FE Colleges Should Publish

Academy schools and Further Education (FE) colleges should also include:

• Headteacher or Principal Name: The name of the individual leading the school or college.
• Chair of the Governing Body: The name and contact details of the chair of the governing body, if applicable.
• Academy Trust Details: Contact details for the academy trust and a link to its website, if applicable.

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Guidance for Schools Without a Website

Schools that do not maintain their own website are still required to publish all the information outlined above. However, they must host this information on an alternative website and make the URL and relevant details available to parents and carers. For example:

• Provide the URL on printed materials such as newsletters or handouts.
• Include the website address in email communications to parents and carers.

The key is to ensure that the information remains easily accessible and up-to-date.

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Best Practices for Publishing Contact Details

Publishing contact details effectively on your website involves more than simply meeting statutory requirements. Here are some best practices to help your school present this information clearly and professionally:

1. Create a Dedicated Contact Page

Ensure your website includes a dedicated Contact Us page that contains all the required information. A well-organised contact page allows visitors to find key details quickly and easily.

2. Include Information on Relevant Pages

While a dedicated contact page is essential, you should also ensure that relevant contact details appear on other key pages. For example:

• SENCO details should be included on the SEND page, the contact page, and the staff directory.
• Chair of the governing body details could be listed on the governance or leadership page.

3. Keep Information Up-to-Date

Outdated contact details can frustrate parents and carers and undermine trust. Set a schedule to regularly review and update contact information on your website.

4. Ensure Accessibility

Make sure your contact information is easy to read and accessible to all users, including those using screen readers. Avoid small fonts or overly complicated layouts.

5. Use Multiple Formats

Provide contact information in multiple formats, such as clickable links for phone numbers and email addresses. For example:

• Telephone numbers should be clickable on mobile devices.
• Email addresses should open in the visitor’s default email app.

6. Add Personalisation Where Appropriate

Including the names and photos of key contacts, such as the SENCO or headteacher, can help personalise your website and make it more welcoming. Parents and carers appreciate knowing who they are reaching out to.

7. Cross-Link Relevant Information

Where applicable, link contact details to related sections of your website. For instance:

• Link the SENCO details to the SEND page.
• Include a link to the academy trust’s website on the governance page.

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Schudio’s Tips for Organising Contact Information

Schudio recommends the following to ensure your school’s contact details are presented effectively:

• Add all required information to the Contact Us page, even where certain details (like the chair of the governing body) are not mandatory for your school type.
• Avoid duplication: Instead of repeating information across multiple pages, use links to centralise content and make updates easier.
• Follow best practices for external links: When linking to external websites, ensure the link opens in a new tab or window, so visitors can easily return to your school’s website.

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Conclusion

Publishing accurate and accessible contact details is a simple yet essential requirement for ensuring compliance and maintaining open communication with parents, carers, and the public. By creating a dedicated contact page and embedding key information across relevant sections of your website, your school can meet statutory obligations while building trust and accessibility.

Whether your school maintains its own website or uses an alternative platform, it’s vital to ensure this information is up-to-date and user-friendly. For more tips on optimising your school website and meeting all statutory requirements, explore our School Website Requirements Guide.