Appy days at Ennis National School

ENNIS National School has just launched its mobile app, making it one of the first schools in the country to do so. A survey at the school last winter revealed that almost 90% of families owned a smartphone or tablet of some sort and it was decided an app would be a quick and efficient means of communication between school and home. The app was launched on Monday at the school by past pupil and well-known referee, Rory Hickey.

 

 

ENNIS National School has just launched its mobile app, making it one of the first schools in the country to do so. A survey at the school last winter revealed that almost 90% of families owned a smartphone or tablet of some sort and it was decided an app would be a quick and efficient means of communication between school and home. The app was launched on Monday at the school by past pupil and well-known referee, Rory Hickey.

“The benefit of the app for the school is that it puts important school information quite literally in the hands of parents and friends. On their hand-held device, parents can read about upcoming school events, view school photos and videos, access our Twitter account, receive instant messages and much more. We can instantly advise them of unexpected changes to plans, such as the cancellation of an event or the delayed return of a school tour bus, by a push note, which will pop up immediately on the screen of their phone or tablet, keeping parents informed on-the-go.  Parents can record a voice message for us in the app also,” said principal Ray McInerney. 

For parents, it means all notes from school are received rather than being buried in the bottom of schoolbags and they are easily informed of changes to routines or plans, reducing frustration. The app provides a map with detailed directions to the school for visitors and provides a link to the school website and email address. 

Communications are instant and free, saving on SMS costs, paperless newsletters can be sent out in line with green school status and the demand placed on school administration staff in dealing with repetitive queries and processing school forms is reduced. Eventually families will be able to pay for school events, tours, and so on securely via the app using Paypal. 

The Ennis National School app was developed by Irish entrepreneur Patriona Briggs of mobileappdesignhq.com, who specialises in creating apps for schools and who holidays in Clare each year. The Ennis National School app can be downloaded free for Android, iPhone/iPad/iPod from Google Play and the Appstore respectively by searching for Ennis National School (ENS) or by bookmarking the web app for Blackberry and other smartphone by scanning their QR code.

“While we are very proud of our lively website, the app has a more interactive quality where people can fill out forms, send in messages and photos, register for events and so on. At present, we are inviting past pupils to sign up for our Gathering Event on June 8 – a reunion of past pupils of the current school building, which is 40 years old this year. They can do this easily via the interactive form on the app,” according to Fíona de Buitléir who is responsible for PR in Ennis National School.   

“The app enhances communication within our Ennis National School community with parents and other stakeholders – this can only be beneficial to us all,” concluded Mr McInerney.