Website Nightmare

[Joanne]

So a few of you might know I've been doing my best with the website that we have, but failing miserably to make any sense of the layout/order of things.

 

Basically I had a request to remove a picture of a child, as it was appearing on google images. It was on the website hidden in a warren of different folders.

 

I am currently going through and hiding all these pages. We are getting a new website in the coming months, so I can let the updating lapse slightly.

 

HOWEVER, earlier this week I have been given a massive list of stuff that needs to be on the website. Most of which are documents and policies that I have to get off other people, so not stressing too much about it. BUT... should I spend a lot of time and energy in re-organising the old website? I can't just simply move pages around unfortunately!!

[hallb15]

I don't know what access you have to your domain - do you have FTP details or is there a CMS front end you have to go though?

Can you save all the required documents as PDFs then upload them to the website and link to them from one 'Documents and Policies' page? Might be a bit clunky but would do for now until your new site comes.

Have you already found someone to build your new website? If not, I can recommend someone!

[Norphy]

I wouldn't want to but this is a conversation that you need to have with your management. They may decide that some things are more important than others and allow you to defer it until the new site is live.

 

If these things are important or are legal requirements, they'll have to go up I suppose but don't bust a gut doing it and don't prettify the page too much.

[localzuk]

There's a bunch of stuff that schools now have to legally have on a website. Doesn't mean they have to be pretty though!

[webman]

I think it would be counter-productive for you to reorganise it all considering that you don't feel confident about the layout and order of it as it stands, as well as the prospect of a new one coming up shortly.

 

Having said that, important documents and policies are often things that can be made available quickly and easily (even if just as a link to PDFs for the time being), just to get them published and not having to spend too much time on them. This is the way I would approach it if faced with a similar task. Speaking from experience, relying on other staff for content introduces a huge delay anyway - so it might be that the new website launches in a couple of months and you're still waiting for content!

[Joanne]

Thanks guys, I think you are right, I should leave the old website layout alone. The majority of the required stuff is on there. This is a list that has been provided by county that is 'essential' website information. The missing stuff are things I can't put on without someone giving me a document, so I guess that it won't be my fault at least if it isn't on there.

 

I think sometimes I worry about nothing!!

[hallb15]

Don't worry. That's what we're here for!

Its an old saying but a problem shared is a problem halved...

[Norphy]

Its an old saying but a problem shared is a problem halved...

 

That depends entirely on who you're sharing it with!

[edutech4schools]

If you are completely new to building websites I would suggest creating a Google Site, it will automatically build the site for you, has pre built themes, is very easy to upload docs and pics on and is so simple to use once you have built the defaults that I only give the teachers a 20 min overview before they go off and update their class pages. Best of all its free.

[hallb15]

That depends entirely on who you're sharing it with!

 

If you share it with two people, does that make it a problem quartered?

[Norphy]

Or quadrupled. One or t'other.

[Joanne]

Sometimes a problem shared is a problem doubled

 

I've got some pro's on the job with the new website... I sure as hell don't have the eye for detail web development requires!!

[win]

Or just outsource it and give the problem to someone else!

[webman]

Incorrect... In the words of Frank Spencer, "a trouble shared is a trouble doubled."

[Foresthippy]

Hi,

 

I've seen various unofficial documents saying what should be on a school website, many of which are just nice if you've got the time and energy. The actual requirements as stipulated by the government are relatively few. There's a list here: The School Information (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 - see the bit under "Schedule 4".

 

Cheers,

John

[Jobos]

Hi,

 

I've seen various unofficial documents saying what should be on a school website, many of which are just nice if you've got the time and energy. The actual requirements as stipulated by the government are relatively few. There's a list here: The School Information (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 - see the bit under "Schedule 4".

 

Cheers,

John

 

I've just been given a link to a requirement document that was made by Webanywhere www.webanywhere.co.uk/sites/webanywhere.co.uk/files/resources/meet-ofsted-requirements-for-your-website-a-checklist-for-schools.pdf it lists far more than the official requirements and put the wind up me when I first read it

 

An easier read of the requirements is here https://www.gov.uk/what-maintained-schools-must-publish-online

Edited October 3, 2014 by Jobos

[Joanne]

My list has 21 things on it. My website is being built by webanywhere so I'm gonna start gathering all the content now

 

Just printed it out.... in A3. LOLZ.

Edited October 3, 2014 by Joanne