Feature comparison
| Feature | MySchoolUpdate | Arbor built-in messaging |
|---|---|---|
| Push notifications | Browser push — no app required | Not available natively |
| Email messaging | Included | Included |
| SMS messaging | Included in annual price | Typically per-message charge |
| MIS data sync | Via Wonde (DfE-approved) | Native (Arbor is the MIS) |
| Parent opt-in (push) | 75–90% within first term | Email/SMS only (no push) |
| Multilingual messaging | 100+ languages | Limited |
| Message templates | Library of templates included | Basic |
| Annual price | £385/year + £299 setup | Included in Arbor subscription |
| SEND school pricing | £99/year | Part of Arbor subscription |
The case for using Arbor's built-in messaging
If your school primarily communicates via email and occasional SMS, and your parents are satisfied with current reach and engagement, Arbor's built-in messaging may be sufficient. It is included in your Arbor subscription, the contact data is always current (Arbor is the MIS itself), and it handles basic communication tasks without an additional cost or vendor relationship.
The question to ask is: what proportion of your parents reliably receive and read school communications? If this is above 80%, the built-in tool may serve you well.
The case for adding MySchoolUpdate alongside Arbor
The gap in Arbor's messaging is push notifications. Email typically achieves 30–50% open rates for school communications; browser push notifications achieve 60–85%. The 15–35 percentage point gap in engagement represents parents who are not reading communications from their child's school.
MySchoolUpdate adds browser push as a channel — parents opt in in 20 seconds without downloading any app. This single addition typically lifts overall parent reach from 55–65% to 75–90%. For attendance notifications, safeguarding communications, and urgent alerts, that improvement in reach has direct operational value.
The flat-rate SMS (included in MySchoolUpdate) is also often a significant saving for schools with high SMS volumes, where Arbor charges per message.
Frequently asked questions
Does MySchoolUpdate work alongside Arbor — do we need to choose one or the other?
They are not mutually exclusive. Arbor remains your MIS; MySchoolUpdate connects to it via Wonde and handles communications. Many Arbor schools use MySchoolUpdate for communications while keeping Arbor for all other school management functions.
Is there a reason to stay with Arbor's built-in messaging?
Yes — simplicity and cost. If your school is satisfied with email and SMS reach and does not want an additional platform or annual cost, Arbor's built-in messaging is a reasonable choice. The decision comes down to whether the push notification reach uplift (typically 20–30 percentage points more parents) is worth £385/year and the minor additional admin of a second system.
See the difference for your Arbor school
Book a demo to see exactly how MySchoolUpdate connects to Arbor and what parent engagement rates look like before and after adding push notifications.
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