School websites must serve parents, pupils, staff, and inspectors. Clarity and compliance matter as much as style, with successful websites for schools needing to communicate the calendar clearly, include policies and news, work on any device, and protect data. The following four considerations focus on practical ways to improve usability without inflating budgets.
1. Accessibility and performance
Fast, accessible pages measurably help everyone. Optimise images, compress downloads, and avoid clutter slowing screen readers. Follow government guidance on accessibility for public sector websites to meet legal duties and improve equity. Audit colour contrast and keyboard navigation and measure load time and interaction delay.
2. Governance and content
Great sites stay current because ownership is clear. Assign page editors, establish publishing checklists, and schedule content reviews. Create an image and document policy to prevent oversized files. Track top tasks and common queries and iterate each term. With purpose, accessibility, simple navigation, and steady governance, a school website earns trust and saves time.
3. Navigation, search, and examples
Make navigation literal, with no jargon and no mystery labels. Keep menus short, pin contact routes, and ensure the logo returns users home. Surface search prominently and tune results for policies and letters.
A specialist such as www.fsedesign.co.uk/websites-for-schools can help with websites for schools.
4. Users and statutory content
Define who each page serves and which task it enables. Keep essential information, such as term dates, contact details, and safeguarding policies, one click deep. Check statutory lists and create a single ‘required information’ hub to reduce hunting. Use plain language, clear typography, and consistent templates.
