School websites serve as essential communication tools for parents, students, and the wider community. However, many schools inadvertently fall short of statutory requirements, potentially affecting both compliance and accessibility. After reviewing numerous website audits, I’ve identified several recurring issues that schools should address.
Outdated Policies
One of the most common pitfalls is failing to review policies according to recommended timelines. While the Department for Education advises annual reviews for key policies like Behaviour, Complaints, and Charging & Remissions, many schools set longer review cycles of two or three years. This creates a risk of operating with outdated guidance that doesn’t reflect current best practice.
Even when schools establish appropriate review schedules, policies frequently exceed their review dates without updates. This was particularly evident with SEND Information Reports, which require annual updates but are often neglected.
Insufficient Contact Information
Many school websites lack comprehensive contact details. While postal addresses and telephone numbers are generally present, specific information is often missing:
- The name of the staff member who handles general queries
- Direct contact details for the Chair of Governors
- Contact information for the SENDCo (often mentioned but without contact details)
These omissions can create barriers for parents seeking specific support or information. Best practice suggests consolidating all contact details on a single, easily accessible page.
Incomplete Curriculum Information
Curriculum information frequently falls short of statutory requirements. Common issues include:
- Year group differentiation missing for subjects like PSHE
- No mention of parents’ right to withdraw children from Religious Education
- Absent information about how parents can learn more about the curriculum
- Missing Music Development Plans (a relatively new requirement many schools overlook)
- Lack of accessibility plans showing how disabled pupils’ curriculum access will improve
Financial Transparency Gaps
Academy trusts face particular challenges regarding financial transparency. Many fail to publish:
- Annual Reports and Accounts by the 31 January deadline (academies only)
- Executive pay information showing salary bands for staff earning over £100,000
- Supplementary funding agreements (academies only)
- Gender pay gap reports (for larger organisations)
Uniform Policy Details
School uniform information often lacks critical details that help families manage costs:
- Clarity about which items are optional or required
- Specification of seasonal variations (summer/winter uniform)
- Information about whether items can be purchased from multiple retailers
- Details about accessing second-hand uniform
SEND and Accessibility Information
Special Educational Needs and Disability information represents another significant compliance gap:
- Outdated SEND Information Reports (should be reviewed annually)
- Missing arrangements for handling SEND-specific complaints
- Absent or incomplete Accessibility Plans showing how the school will improve physical access, curriculum participation, and information accessibility
Swimming Data and PE Premium Reporting
Primary schools frequently fail to publish complete swimming attainment data for Year 6 pupils, particularly regarding:
- Percentages of pupils meeting the 25-metre requirement
- Ability to use various strokes effectively
- Self-rescue skills
- Sustainability plans for PE Premium spending
Recommendations for Improvement
To address these common issues:
- Create a comprehensive policy review schedule, prioritising annual reviews for key policies (School Policy Tracker can help with this!)
- Consolidate contact information in one easily accessible location
- Develop detailed curriculum information organised by year group
- Ensure financial transparency with timely publication of required documents
- Clarify uniform requirements, including cost-saving options
- Regularly update SEND information and develop meaningful accessibility plans
- Publish complete swimming and sports premium data
Regular website audits can help identify these issues before they become compliance concerns. Remember, your website isn’t just a statutory requirement—it’s often the first impression parents and Ofsted inspectors form of your school.
