Best Provider For School Website

[bloxy]

I hope people can help me and I have posted this in the right forum. I have just taken over as Network Manager of two primary schools and one of the big issues they have are the school websites.
I don't have any knowledge or experience of web design.
One school has a template provided by a company and I need to set up a new website for the other school. I think that the way to go for me, not knowing what I'm doing, is to go with one of the companies that provide website design and allow me to update them.
Has anyone had good experiences with any of the companies - is there anyone you would recommend?
Cheers

[AWicher]

I'm all in favor of doing it internally!

Install a CMS - Wordpress, Joomla... Easy to setup, and you can manage as much or little as you want. Even assign roles to other users to update there little areas

[FN-GM]

have a look at this. Nice already made templates.

EduGeek Projects

[GrumbleDook]

If they are looking for a complete marketing piece then E4Education are pretty good, but you have to make sure that they understand that the design and management of the site is only part of the problem, constant updates of content are the thing. Whether it is school information, the work of the children, teacher blogs ...

Have a look at Heathfield CPS Blogs | Henniker Road, Bolton BL3 3TP - Tel: 01204 333 595 for some ideas ... Dave Mitchell and the school are happy to speak with people about what they do, and they'll put you in touch with John Sutton who can come in and support the school with making the most of blogs for learning.

[edutech4schools]

If you dont want to host and need something very easy to use have a look at Google sites. You can sign up for Google Apps for Education and get Docs, calendar, sites + other utils and can be used as a vle.

Google Apps for Edu is free but does require some time to setup.

I am currently looking at this and have decided that even if it didn't have the sites part that the other apps are great especially in a primary school.

[bloxy]

Thanks for the replies, I will have a look at the joomla stuff you directed me to.
Grumbledook, I know what you mean about keeping the content up to date and I feel that that job will mainly be mine, as well as chasing everyone up to tell me what they want on it. I am happy to do this as I feel that I will have time now to do it.
I've looked at the CPS Blogs site as well and that looks really interesting, I'll talk to thise that make desicions and see what they say.
cheers

[TechSupp]

I have two primary schools using schools.ik.org :: The Schools Website Builder, providing easy to edit websites to UK Schools and its quite easy to set up and its easy to use and update. An example is Hexthorpe Primary School (maintained by one of the teachers) and Balby Central Primary School (showing main problem is actually getting info to keep it up to date).

[johnymac]

You might like PrimaryBlogger, not sure if you already use it but it's free hosted wordpress for Primary Schools..

PrimaryBlogger - Free blogging & websites for Primary Schools

[CatherineMay]

If you want professional look for your website try www.schoolwebsite.co.uk

[Dos_Box]

Have you used these Catherine?

[CatherineMay]

We are currently using them, but not seen finished product yet. I am imppressed with to up now, staff involved and ideas from them.

[CPLTD]

Here's one we made earlier.

Welcome to Milbrook Junior School - Millbrook Junior School