Arbor Parent App and Parent Portal

We are pleased to introduce the Arbor Parent App and Parent Portal, our new communication system designed to strengthen the connection between school and home.

The Arbor Parent App and Parent Portal will replace our current Greenhouse app and will become the main platform for school communication, messages and updates.

Eventually, the Arbor Parent App and Parent Portal will also replace SCOPAY for payments, clubs and bookings. This change is planned for Autumn Term 2026, and further information will be shared with families well in advance.

What is Arbor Parent App and Parent Portal ?

Arbor is a secure online system that allows parents and carers to:

Receive school messages and updates directly to your phone
View your child's attendance information
Report your child's absence quickly and easily
Contact the school office using in-app messaging
Book parent consultation meetings
Make payments for trips and clubs (from Autumn 2 2026)

Watch the Arbor Parent App Introduction Video

Arbor Parent App and Parent Portal – What’s the Difference?

The Arbor system can be accessed in two ways:

Arbor Parent App

The Arbor Parent App is designed for smartphones and tablets. It is the quickest and easiest way to receive notifications, messages and updates while on the go.

Arbor Parent Portal

The Arbor Parent Portal is accessed through a web browser on a computer or laptop. It provides a larger, more detailed view of your child’s information.

Both platforms are linked to the same account and use the same login details, meaning any updates or messages will appear across both systems automatically.

Rollout Plan

We will introduce Arbor in stages before launching it across the whole school.

Phase 1 – Year 1 and Year 5

On 2^ndJune, parents and carers in Year 1 and Year 5 will receive a welcome email with instructions to download and activate the Arbor Parent App and Portal.

Support Drop -in Sessions

We will also hold drop-in support sessions for Year 1 and Year 5 families from the 3^rd to 5^th June from 9:00am–9:30am each morning. During these sessions, staff will support parents and carers to download the app, activate their account and learn how to use the main features

Phase 2 – Remaining Year Groups

Parents and carers in EYFS and Years 2, 3, 4 and 6 will receive their welcome emails on the 22^ndJune.

Support Drop -in Sessions

We will also hold drop-in support sessions for these year groups from the 23^rd to 26^th June, from 9:00am–9:30am each morning.

Setting Up Your Account

You will receive a welcome email containing your username and a link to set your password.

Important: the email will ask you to click 'Forgotten Password?' — this is simply how Arbor's system works for new accounts. It is not an error. Please follow the steps below.

Step 1 — Set your password

Open the Welcome email
Click the link in the email, or go to login.arbor.sc in your web browser
Click Forgotten Password? on the login screen
Enter your email address and follow the instructions on screen
Once your password is set, you are ready to log in

Step 2 — Download the app

iPhone or iPad: open the App Store and search for Arbor Parent App
Android phone or tablet: open Google Play and search for Arbor Parent App
No smartphone? You can access everything through a web browser at login.arbor.sc

We recommend enabling push notifications when prompted, so you receive alerts when the school sends you a message.

Logging In to the Parent Portal & Parent App

How to Report Your Child's Absence

From 3rd June 2026, we ask Year 1 and Year 5 parents and carers to report absences using the Arbor Parent App or Parent Portal. Please do not telephone the school office to report an absence.

Same-day absences — please report by 8:00am

If your child is absent on the day, please follow these steps:

Open the Arbor Parent App and tap Quick Actions on the home screen
Tap Attendance, then tap the green Log Absence button
The start and end times will default to a full school day — adjust these if your child will only be absent for part of the day
Enter the reason for the absence, giving as much detail as possible
Tap Log Absence to submit your request

A member of staff will review your request and approve or reject it. You can see the outcome in the Attendance tab of the app.

Please note: absence requests cannot be edited once submitted. If you need to make any changes before the request is approved, please delete it and submit a new one. Once approved, please contact the school office.

Future or planned absences

The Log Absence feature only works for same-day absences. For any planned future absences — such as medical appointments, hospital visits or holiday requests — please send the school an in-app message as early as possible (see below). Include your child's full name, the date or dates of absence and the reason.

How to Contact the School Using In-App Messaging

In-app messaging is the main way to contact the school for general queries, planned absence notifications and other communications. Messages go directly to the school office and are picked up by a member of staff during school hours.

Using the Arbor Parent App (mobile or tablet)

Open the Arbor Parent App
Tap the notification icon, bottom right of screen (circle icon)
Tap Messages
Tap Send New Message
Type your message and add a subject line to help staff identify your query
Tap Send message

Using the Parent Portal (computer or web browser)

Go to login.arbor.sc and sign in
Click My Items (top left of screen)
Select School Messages
Click Send new message
Type your message, add a subject line and click Send message

Reading messages from school

You will receive a push notification on your phone when the school sends you a new message (if you have notifications enabled). We recommend enabling notifications so you do not miss important updates. Unread messages are marked as NEW and shown in bold.

Data Collection Sheets

Over the coming weeks, all families will receive a Data Collection Sheet.

This form contains the information we currently hold on our school system. Please check all details carefully and return the form to your child’s class teacher as soon as possible

It is very important that our records are accurate before we launch the Arbor Parent App.

Please Check the Following Information Carefully:

Personal Information

Child’s full name and date of birth
Sibling information (all siblings at Marlborough)

Each Guardians and Emergency Contacts

Name
Relationship to student
Primary Guardian – Will receive the Arbor Parent App and Portal welcome email and have access to the Parent App and Portal
Authorised to collect students
Email addresses for all contacts
Mobile/Home/ Work telephone numbers
Unsubscribed from school comms
Postal address and postcode

Please ensure:

Any changes on the Data Capture Form must be written in BLOCK CAPITALS
The Data Capture Form must be signed and dated
The signed Data Capture Form must be returned to the class teacher (even if no changes are required)

Important Safeguarding Information

Please inform the school if there are any:

Court orders
Safeguarding arrangements
Restrictions relating to parental contact
Restrictions on the sharing of address or contact information

This information helps us ensure that the correct Legal Guardian is set up to receive the Arbor welcome email and securely access their child’s information through the Arbor Parent App and Parent Portal.

Letter to Parents

Additional Resources

Parent Portal and App - Getting started and logging in

Parent Portal and App - Payments, School Shop, Meals, Clubs and Trips - From Autumn 2 term

Parent Portal and App - Profiles, messages and meetings

Need Support?

Further information, setup guides and support documents will be shared on the school website ahead of launch.

Thank you for your support as we introduce this new system to improve communication between school and home.