Milestone reached in new digital tool for parents

Midlothian Council is celebrating a major milestone for its online school portal, parentsportal.scot, which allows parents to communicate directly with their child's school at a time convenient to them.   

Thousands of parents registered

Since the start of its roll out in August 2025, more than 6,000 parents and carers have now registered with the digital service, which replaces the traditional schoolbag run.

Multiple uses

Parentsportal.scot users can: 

• Report a pupil’s absence via the app at a time that is convenient  
• Review contact and medical details and keep these up to date 
• Complete the Annual Data Check 
• Primary school pupils can apply for child’s free bus travel card  
• Permission slips are currently being rolled out and can be completed via the app.   
• Link to ParentPay to make online payments for trips and lunches etc.  

Top performers

By mid-February a total of 96.77% of Bonnyrigg Primary parents had signed up to the portal, the highest percentage in Midlothian, followed by King’s Park Primary with a 92.92% sign up rate, 92.82% at Stobhill Primary and 92.21% at Tynewater Primary.

Helpful tool

Bonnyrigg Primary Parent Council Chair Lorraine Napier said the portal was a great tool. Lorraine, whose children Brodie (P6), Ruben (P4) and Leo (P3) attend the Bonnyrigg primary, said: “It’s a real help for things like reporting one of them absent while trying to get the other two out the door. You can even add in a description of why they are not able to attend.” Lorraine said being able to log in via her mygovscot account was also helpful and she was hopeful, in future, parent councils could use it to share information with other parents at the school.

Online report cards

Head Teacher John Dagger praised Administration Assistant at Bonnyrigg Primary Sharon Black and her team for their hard work in encouraging parents to register. Sharon said: “It’s great for parents and for us. For example, we will soon be able to put pupils’ report cards on the portal, which will save staff so much time and effort.”

Fantastic achievement

Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Ellen Scott said: “Reaching more than 6,000 sign-ups is a fantastic achievement and shows how much families value having a simple, secure way to communicate with their child’s school online. If you’ve not done so, please sign up.” 

Go online

Sign up now or download the app 

Picture caption

In the picture are: Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Ellen Scott, Head Teacher John Dagger,  Admin Assistant Sharon Black, Chair of the Parent Council Lorraine Napier and her son Brodie.