IT & Online Services for Students & Parents
Students
Student Accounts
All Students are issued a school user account that gives them the ability to log into desktop and laptop computers in school, Microsoft 365, PaperCut, and Satchel One.
All student usernames end with the domain @the.downs.school
Students that start at the beginning of the school year are given their school account credentails in IT classes. Students that start mid-year should see their form tutor for their school account credentials.
If a student has forgotten their password, then they should visit the IT Tech Office to have it reset. We do not store student passwords and can only reset them. We cannot reset passwords by proxy.
Students are issued with school credentails that allow them to log into the desktop computers in school, Office 365, PaperCut, and Satchel One.
Multi-Factor Authentication
As part of security best practice, year 10s and above, when not connected in any way to the school network, to access school resources that require authentication (in Office 365), will need to use Multi-Factor Authentication. This is carried out using the Microsoft Authenticator App.
Please see the following link on how to use the Microsoft Authenticator App:
Apps
Students are welcome to install the Teams and Satchel One apps on their personal devices if they wish, but there is no requirement to do so.
If these apps are installed, please note that notifications are controlled entirely by the app providers and the device settings. The school has no control over the frequency, timing, or behaviour of these notifications. It is the student’s responsibility to manage notification settings on their device. Guidance is provided under Student Accounts, Apps, and Managing Notifications on Personal Devices
Students may instead wish to use the web‑based versions of these services, which do not send push notifications in the same way, or configure Notifications as described in the Student Accounts, Apps, and Managing Notifications on Personal Devices section.
School Homepage and Browser-based Versions of Apps
The School Intranet provides a launch platform to all school systems.
Satchel One:
https://home.thedownsschool.org/satchelone
Teams: https://home.thedownsschool.org/teams
Outlook: https://home.thedownsschool.org/outlookSharePoint
https://home.thedownsschool.org/sharepoint
Student Accounts, Apps, and Managing Notifications on Personal Devices
Please see the following for information about managing notification and more information about apps and the browser based versions.
Student User Apps and Notifications
Satchel One (Show My Homework)
Student Documentation
Students must select Sign in with Microsoft 365 to sign in
Student - Satchel One Sign InSatchel One School Homepage
https://thedownsschool.satchelone.com/
Microsoft 365 - including Teams
All students have a Microsoft 365 account which they can access using their school user account from any device anywhere. Microsoft 365 provides a connected online suite of applications including the Microsoft Office suite of software (Outlook emails, Excel, Word, Powerpoint &c.) within a collaborative and information sharing environment. The suite of applications includes OneDrive, an online file storage service that can be accessed from both within school and at home - removing the need to email work to and from school.
Teams is part of Microsoft 365 and is and is a crucial part of our Remote Learning arrangements.
Students can sign into their school Microsoft 365 account here:
https://home.thedownsschool.org/teams
Printing at School
Students can print or photocopy their work at school on any of the large MFD printers around the school. Once they have sent their work to print from their PC (or device at home via Microsoft 365) they simply log on to the MFD printer and pull off their prints. Colour printing is available as an option, as is a choice of A4, A3, single or double sided paper - but these choices are made when sending the print file not when you are standing at the printer. Students can see what they have printed and the credit they have remaining on their account by logging onto their PaperCut account. All students have £3 annual print credit and this can be topped up by buying more credit on the ParentPay School Shop (which is different to the usual ParentPay site - see the links at the bottom of this page).
Students can sign into their PaperCut account here (only available inside school):
https://print.thedownsschool.org
More Information
Support and Further Documentation
Students may view the following page for further information about IT services and support:
https://thedownsschooleu.sharepoint.com/sites/tds-info/ittechnicalservices/
Information about Wi-Fi and Internet filtering:
https://thedownsschooleu.sharepoint.com/sites/tds-info/ittechnicalservices/SitePages/Wi-Fi.aspxInformation about buying a laptop and setting it up for school work:
https://thedownsschooleu.sharepoint.com/sites/tds-info/ittechnicalservices/SitePages/Buying-a-Laptop-and-Setting-it-up-for-School.aspxInformation about Sign in App (For Sixth Formers:
Parents
Satchel One (Show My Homework)
NB: Parents are sent, via e-mail, the parent code for students that start at the beginning of the school year in Year 7 and 12.
For other instances or if you do not have a parent code, then to obtain your parent code, you can have your student log into the Satchel One website or App and select Settings >> Parent code
Parent Documentation
Logging in as a parent | Satchel Help Center (satchelone.com)
School Communications – Arbor
The school communicates with parents and carers using Arbor Education.
All emails, text messages, letters, student reports, behaviour notifications, praise information, timetables, and general updates are sent via the Arbor system. This ensures all communication is managed securely in one place.
Parents and carers can access this information through the Arbor Parent Portal on the Arbor App on their smartphone. When logging in for the first time, you will need to use the email address and mobile phone number registered with the school. You will then receive instructions to securely access your account.
Arbor is also used for online payments, including school meals and trips. All payments should be made through the Arbor Parent Portal or App.
If you have not yet registered, or need support accessing your account, please contact the school office and ensure we have your current email address and mobile number on file.
We strongly recommend all parents and carers use the Arbor Parent Portal or App to stay up to date with school information and manage payments efficiently.
Parents and carers can sign into their Arbor account here:
