The old Wessex Primary School website was old fashioned, not updated often enough (because only one staff member had access), did not use a modern accessible layout and was simply not meeting the needs of its users.

We created a website that meets the needs of parents, children, visitors to the school and prospective parents.

We took a general tree design and layout principles from the school and used that to create a fully functioning website powered by a content management system, CMS Made Simple. Members of the school teaching and management staff have logins that enable them to edit the content on specific pages and calendar events using a web based editing tool. They can do this at any time - they do not need to be on school premises. This enables a team of users to keep the site updated, fresh and accurate.

Incorporated within the site are many features such as a calendar system, a virtual tour of the school, a gallery of children's work and Ofsted report information. Other features, which make it especially useful for parents, include a list of recently updated pages, downloadable weekly newsletters....and even the local weather.

Messages about emergency events such as school closures can be added to the site by key personnel and these messages are made very clear to all website visitors, enabling important information to be delivered quickly to parents, staff and visitors.

The website, launched on 2 October 2009, has been received very well by the school community.