Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our school website compliance scanner.
Getting Started
What is a school website compliance scan?
A compliance scan checks your school website against DfE requirements and Ofsted expectations. It identifies missing policies, accessibility issues, and other statutory requirements.
How long does a scan take?
Free scans typically take 2 minutes. Full scans may take 5-10 minutes depending on your website size and complexity.
What's the difference between the free scan and full scan?
Free scans check 6 essential DfE requirements in 2 minutes. Full scans provide comprehensive coverage of all 29 requirements with detailed evidence and action plans.
For Governors & Leadership
How does this help us prepare for inspections?
The scan checks all DfE statutory requirements that inspectors typically review during visits. It provides evidence-based reports showing what is compliant and what needs attention, helping you address gaps before an inspection.
Can we claim this as a school expense?
Yes, this is a legitimate school expense related to compliance and governance. The £149 cost is typically categorized under "Governance Services" or "Website Compliance". We provide invoices for your records. Please consult your business manager or finance team for specific accounting treatment.
What if the scan finds compliance issues?
Finding issues is helpful - it gives you time to address them proactively. The scan provides specific guidance on how to fix each issue, with time estimates and difficulty ratings. You are not liable for issues found; the scan is a diagnostic tool to help you improve compliance.
How often should we run a scan?
We recommend scanning quarterly, or whenever you make significant website updates. Your full scan purchase includes one complimentary follow-up scan within 60 days to check your progress after making improvements.
For Business Managers
Can we pay by purchase order or invoice?
Yes! At checkout, you can choose to pay by card immediately or request an invoice for payment via bank transfer (BACS). Invoices are provided for all payments for your accounting records.
Is this service VAT exempt?
No, this is a standard-rated service and VAT is included in the £149 price. Your invoice will show the VAT breakdown. Please consult your finance team or accountant regarding your specific VAT treatment and reclaim eligibility.
What budget code should we use?
This is typically coded under "Governance Services", "Website Services", or "Compliance & Audit". The specific budget line depends on your school chart of accounts. Consult with your finance team for your school preferred categorization.
Do you offer bulk pricing for MATs?
For multi-academy trusts requiring scans of multiple school websites, please contact support@schoolwebsitecheck.co.uk for volume pricing and centralized billing options.
Technical Issues
What if my scan fails or times out?
Check that your website is accessible and try again. If problems persist, contact us with the error message and we'll help troubleshoot.
Can I scan password-protected areas?
No, our scanner can only access publicly available pages. Make sure all required information is accessible without login.
Will scanning affect my website performance?
No, our scans are read-only and won't impact your website performance or user experience.
Results & Reports
How accurate are the scan results?
Our scans are highly accurate for publicly accessible content. Some items may need manual verification, especially PDF content and complex navigation structures.
Can I export my scan results?
Yes, full scan results can be exported as PDF reports suitable for governors and SLT meetings.
How often should I scan my website?
We recommend scanning monthly or whenever you make significant changes to your website content or structure.
Billing & Support
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards through our secure Stripe payment system.
Can I get a refund?
Yes, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Contact us if you're not satisfied with your scan results.
How do I contact support?
You can contact us through our support form, email support@schoolwebsitecheck.co.uk, or use the live chat feature.
School-Specific Questions
Do all 29 requirements apply to my school type?
Not all requirements apply to every school. Primary schools do not need Key Stage 4/5 results or careers guidance. Maintained schools and academies have some different requirements. Our scanner automatically detects your school type and applies the relevant requirements.
We are part of a Multi-Academy Trust - which website should we scan?
Scan your individual school website. Some requirements (like governance) may be on the trust website, and we will note where to find them. For trust-level compliance, contact us about scanning your central trust website separately.
Can we share results with our Local Authority or Trust compliance officer?
Yes. After your scan, you can download PDF reports and share the results link with your LA compliance officer, trust compliance team, or external consultants. All results include a shareable link that expires after 90 days.
We recently migrated our website - will the scan still work?
Yes. The scan works with any website platform or CMS (WordPress, Eschools, Juniper, etc). If your new website has different page structures, our scanner will adapt to find the required content. Some manual verification may be needed for complex navigation.
Still have questions?
Can't find what you're looking for? Our support team is here to help.
Need help understanding your specific results? Visit our support page for interpretation guidance.