Using the Broadcast Module for Effective Communcation

The Broadcast Module in POGO Progress enables schools to send targeted messages to staff, parents, or students — directly through the platform.

It’s designed to make communication efficient, consistent, and secure, replacing scattered emails or paper notices with a centralised system.

1. Purpose of the Broadcast Module

Share important announcements (school closures, events, updates).
Send assessment summaries or reports to parents.
Communicate reminders to staff (e.g. data deadlines, training sessions).
Deliver celebratory messages for pupil achievements.
Maintain a record of communications for compliance and clarity.

💬 Think of it as your school’s internal noticeboard and secure messaging system — all integrated with your data.

2. How to Access the Broadcast Module

Navigate to:

Main Menu → Broadcasts

3. Step-by-Step: Sending a Broadcast

Step 1: Create a New Broadcast

Click “Add+”
Create a Title
Select your message type (General, Academic, Urgent, Newsletter or Custom Category).
Add any files you may wish to attach
Schedule in date and time to be sent
Choose who will receive the message:
- All Staff
- Parents (by class, year group, or entire school)
- Specific Students
- Custom Groups (e.g. “Year 6 SATs Pupils” or “Maths Department”)

💡 Recipient lists can pull directly from your MIS or from POGO’s synced data.

Choose if sending via Email or SMS
Write Your Message
- You can include:
  - Text
  - Links
  - Attachments (letters, guides, timetables)
  - Optional emojis or formatting for clarity.
    
    Review your message for tone and accuracy.
    
    Choose to:
- Send immediately, or
- Schedule for later (e.g. 8am on Monday).
Click Publish

✅ Sent messages are logged in the system for accountability and easy follow-up.

4. Tracking and Follow-Up

After sending:

Go to Broadcasts

You’ll see:
- Delivery status (sent, pending, failed).
- Who opened or acknowledged the message (if enabled).
- Option to resend or edit for future use.

📊 This makes it easy to monitor parent engagement and ensure critical updates reach everyone.

Best Practices for Effective Broadcasts

Best Practice	Why It Matters
Keep messages concise	Avoid overwhelming readers; focus on key info
Use clear subject lines	Helps recipients prioritise messages
Schedule for high engagement times	Early morning or after school hours are best
Segment your audience	Targeting the right group keeps communication relevant
Avoid overuse	Too many broadcasts reduce impact
Always check tone	Maintain professionalism — even in reminders

Safeguarding and Compliance

All broadcasts are secure and logged within POGO’s database.
Messages are linked to authenticated user accounts, reducing misuse.
Data is GDPR-compliant — personal details stay within the POGO environment.
Only authorised staff (typically SLT or Admin) can send school-wide broadcasts.

Example Uses in Schools

Scenario	Message Example
Parent Communication	“Reminder: Year 5 trip consent forms due Friday.”
Staff Updates	“New assessment submission deadline – please update data by Thursday.”
Celebrations	“Congratulations to Year 6 on excellent progress this term!”
Urgent Notices	“School closed due to severe weather. Remote learning plan active.”

Benefits of Using the Broadcast Module

✅ Centralised communication

✅ Better parent and staff engagement

✅ Reduced admin workload

✅ Secure, auditable messaging

✅ Improved consistency across departments