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Yate Academy

MCAS – My Child at School App

We launched our new parent app, MyChildAtSchool (MCAS) in April 2023.

MCAS allows you to report absences, view key information like your child's timetable, attendance. We also use the app for most communication and alerts. This will replace several existing applications such as MyEd and IRIS.

Parents have received emails with details on how to activate your account. If you have not, please see the information below. 

How you can use MCAS
 

Update Information

This section shows the current data we store on you and your child/children. Changes can be made by adding a new address/telephone number/email address and clicking the green ‘Save’ button.

When information is updated in MCAS, this will be checked and approved by the office team.

Timetables

View your child’s timetable, including the lesson times and teachers.

Attendance

Allows you to view your child’s attendance.

Exam Timetables (for Exam Year Groups)

See when your child has an exam.

Report a Student Absence

The app/website can be used to provide details of when your child/children will be absent.

Trips (Coming Soon)

Book and pay for school trips.

Clubs (Coming Soon)

See which clubs your child is attending and when they are running.

Parental Consent (Coming Soon)

Update the School with your consent. We are currently updating this area.

Report a student absence
 

MCAS offers an alternative method of reporting when your child/children will be absent from school:


Via The App

  1. Open the App

  2. Click on Profile

  3. School Contact Information

  4. Move towards the bottom of the page

  5. Enter a Subject (Student Name and Tutor Group) and Message with as much information regarding the absence.

  6. Press Send


Via The My Child at School Website

  1. Login to My Child at School App - LINK

  2. Click the Envelope Icon

  3. Enter a Subject (Student Name and Tutor Group) and Message with as much information regarding the absence.


Signing Up
 

The MCAS Login process has recently changed, and you no longer need the School ID, Username or Invitation Code.

Parents/carers can now log in to the MCAS online portal using their contact Email Address.

If you have not logged in previously, please see the setup instructions below:

1) Head to the MCAS Parent Login page, or open the smartphone app

2) Select 'reset password' and input your email address. This will send you a password reset email so that you can create a new password. 
 
Your password must contain at least 8 characters, and include a mixture of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation marks. 

3) Your account is now set up and ready to go. You can head to the MCAS Parent Login page, or open the smartphone app and log in with your details.

FAQ: Page shakes when signing up 

Your password might not contain the requirements. Please check you have the below.

  1. be long (at least 8 characters);
  2. include:
    1. Uppercase letters
    2. lowercase letters
    3. Numbers
    4. Punctuation marks

Text messages from Yate Academy

Our Text Message Services will display from the below:

  • "YateAcademy"
  • "447860054551"
  • "07860054551"

We advise you save this number in your contacts. Please note this number doesn't support calls

Advice on setting a strong password 

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) confirms that a strong password will:

  1. be long (at least 8 characters);
  2. include a range of characters, such as:
    1. Uppercase and lowercase letters
    2. Numbers
    3. Punctuation marks
    4. Other symbols
  3. not contain dictionary words, where possible;
  4. not include simple substitutions of characters, e.g. "p4$$w0rd";
  5. not include patterns derived from the keyboard layout, e.g. "qwerty".

We advise all parents to use strong passwords to protect the confidential personal information contained within MCAS. Parents should also avoid using obvious choices of passwords, such as the name of your child or pet, as someone could find such information elsewhere.

Never disclose your password to another individual, whether this be a family member or other individual, for any reason. If you think that someone else knows your password, change it immediately.

Payments

Starting September 2023, all payments for various school activities will be conveniently processed through MCAS - My Child at School.

With MCAS, you can now handle payments effortlessly in one place. Whether it's paying for your child's trip, adding funds to their food balance for the Canteen, or purchasing resources or replacement House badges.

This update is another stride towards simplifying payment processes and making MCAS the ultimate destination for accessing comprehensive information about your child's school life at Yate Academy.

Payment FAQs

Q: What will occur with my child's existing balance?

A: Your child's current balance will be transferred to MCAS, the new system we are implementing. Rest assured that their balance will be seamlessly moved over to MCAS, ensuring a smooth transition. From September 2023 onwards, any further top-ups or additions to your child's balance will be managed exclusively through MCAS.

We strive to make this transition as seamless as possible and appreciate your understanding during this process. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.


Q: Will I have the ability to monitor my child's food purchases?

A: Absolutely! Through MCAS, you will have the convenience of viewing the items that have been purchased by your child at the Food Pods and Canteen. This feature allows you to stay informed about their food choices and ensures transparency regarding their eating habits while at school.

MCAS provides a user-friendly interface that grants you access to this information, empowering you to stay connected with your child's school life. We believe this feature will be valuable in promoting healthy eating habits and fostering open communication between parents and students.


Q: What is the reason behind Yate Academy transitioning from Parent Pay to MCAS?

A: Yate Academy has made the decision to switch to MCAS in order to enhance the communication and usability for parents when it comes to making payments for trips, food and drinks, and resources.

MCAS provides a more comprehensive platform that allows for improved interaction and convenience for parents. By migrating to MCAS, we aim to streamline the payment process and offer a more user-friendly experience, ensuring that parents have easy access to important information regarding their child's school life.

We believe that this transition will greatly benefit our parents and enhance their overall engagement with the school.


Q: Will my Parent Pay Account still be active after the switch to MCAS?

A: The status of your Parent Pay Account will depend on whether you have other children who are not attending Yate Academy on the account. If you have children from other schools linked to your Parent Pay Account, you can continue to use it as usual to manage their funds.

However, if you only have Yate Academy student(s) on your Parent Pay Account, the child accounts associated with it will be removed when we transition to MCAS. In this case, you will have the option to close your Parent Pay Account.


Q: What should I do if I have a remaining balance in my Parent Account on Parent Pay?

A: If you have a balance in your Parent Account on Parent Pay, it is important to note that Yate Academy does not hold this money. To withdraw your remaining balance, please follow the guide link provided on the Parent Pay website.

The guide will provide you with detailed instructions on how to initiate the withdrawal process and ensure that you receive the funds back into your account. We recommend accessing the guide promptly to complete the necessary steps for withdrawing your balance from Parent Pay.

Guide Link


Q: Why am I being requested to make payments on Bromcom before September 2023?

A: The reason behind requesting payments on Bromcom prior to September 2023 is that we may need to start collecting payments for trips or events that are scheduled for the next academic year. While it is not yet September 2023, early collection of these payments allows us to better organise and plan for these activities in advance.

We understand that this may seem unusual, but it helps ensure a smooth process and enables us to make necessary arrangements for the upcoming events. Your cooperation in making these payments on Bromcom is greatly appreciated as we strive to provide the best experiences for our students.

Full MCAS parent guide

A more extensive guide to using MCAS can be found HERE.

Download the App 

Website - Here - Use Sign in with Google.

App - iOS - Google Play