Arbor System – Parent and Carer Portal and AppÂ
Bradfields Academy uses Arbor for communications to Parents & Carers, and for our payment system.Â
What does this mean?
From 1st September 2026, we will no longer be using School Gateway for communication or payments, and will instead be done in the Arbor Parent App.
In the app, there are further opportunities for Parents and Carers to see details about their child (such as academic data and registering an absence).Â
What Parents & Carers Need to do
We have provided the training details from Arbor below, as well as the direct link to their help desk article.Â
You must set up your password and accept the terms of use through the Parent Portal (website) first. You cannot do this through the app.Â
If you have any problems, and cannot find the support from the below information, please do not hesitate to contact us (email: office@bradfieldsacademy.co.uk or phone: 01634 683990)Â
Please click on the drop-down menus to find more information.
Understanding the difference: Portal vs App
It’s important to know the difference between the two ways you can access Arbor:Â
- Arbor Parent Portal: This is the website version you access using a web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) on a computer, laptop, or even your phone’s browser.Â
- Arbor Parent App: This is the mobile application you download to your smartphone or tablet from your device’s app store (Google Play Store for Android, Apple App Store for iOS).Â
Downloading the Parent App
For Android devices:Â
- Go to your device’s Play Store.Â
- Search for ‘Arbor’ and tap the top result: “Arbor Parent & Guardian Portal”Â
For iOS (Apple) Devices:Â
- Go to your device’s App Store.Â
- Search for ‘Arbor’ and tap the top result
Logging into the Parent Portal or App
Once you have the app or are on the Parent Portal website, follow these steps to log in.Â
Important: Bradfields Academy will need to have enabled the Parent Portal for you to log in. If you haven’t received a welcome email or login details, please contact your school directly.
- First-Time Login (Setting Your Password)
If this is your first time logging in, you’ll need to set your password. Bradfields Academy will send you a welcome email with a link to do this.Â
- Find the Welcome Email: Look for an email from Arbor in your inbox.
- Click the Login Link: Inside the email, click on the unique login link provided. This link will take you to a secure page to set up your account.Â
- Set Your Password:
- Enter your chosen password into the Password field.Â
- Enter it again into the Confirm Password field.Â
- Make sure your password meets the criteria (e.g., length, characters) shown on the screen.Â
- Click the Set Password button.Â
- Log In: You’ll then be redirected to the login page. Enter your email address (the one your school has for you) and your newly set password, then click Log In.
Logging in with an Existing Account 
If you’ve already set up your password, you can log in directly:Â
- Open the App or Go to the Portal:
- On your mobile device, open the Arbor Parent App.Â
- On a computer, navigate to the Arbor Parent Portal website.Â
- Enter Your Details:
- In the Email address field, enter the email address your school has on record for you.Â
- In the Password field, enter your password.Â
- Click Log In: Tap or click the Log In button.
Forgot Your Password?
If you’ve forgotten your password, don’t worry! You can easily reset it:Â
- Click “Forgot Password”: On the login screen, click the Forgot password? link.
- Enter Your Email: Type in the email address your school has for you.
- Click Reset Password: Click the Reset Password button.Â
- Check Your Email: You will receive an email from Arbor with a link to reset your password. Click this link and follow the on-screen instructions.Â
Logging in on the Parent App
Save your password and fill it in automatically using your phone’s built-in Face ID, fingerprint scan or pin entry.Â
Top Tip: You will need to download the latest version from the app store to use biometric login:Â
- The version number for iOS for biometric login is 24.1Â
- The version number for Android is 35 (24)Â
Logging in for the first time
When you open the app for the first time, you’ll be prompted to add in your email address and password.Â
The Remember my password box will be ticked by default but you can untick it if needed. This allows Arbor to remember your password the next time you log in.
Make sure both your email address and password are correct, or you’ll receive this message.

When your email address and password are correct, we’ll check your biometric details – either by Face ID, fingerprint scan or pin entry.Â
- Once the check is successful, biometric login will be enabled for the next time you log in, and you won’t need to input your Arbor password.Â
- You need to ensure one of these options is enabled to be able to save your password, or you’ll need to untick the box.Â
Next you’ll need to select your school. If you have accounts on more than one school, there’ll be a tick next to any schools your password works for.Â
- Click on a school with a tick to be logged right in.Â
- Click on a school without a tick to input your alternative password for that school.Â

Once you input your alternative password, it’ll save this password for next time.Â
If you have more than one child at the school, please select the child you wish to view. Don’t worry, you can select another child once you are logged in.Â
Returning to log in again
When you open your Parent App and you chose to save your password, we’ll run a biometric check.Â
Please note that if you haven’t logged into the Parent App for 1 month, you’ll need to enter your password the next time you log in.
We’ll then automatically log you in with your email and password – just click on the school with the tick.
If the biometric login fails, a message will be displayed (this will vary based on device OS), and you’ll need to retry or enter your passcode to be able to select your school.
If you fail all authentication, you’ll have the option to input your Arbor password.
Logging out
From Parent PortalÂ
To log out, just click the Sign out link at the top-right of your page.
You will also be automatically logged out after a period of two hours of inactivity. If you click back into your Arbor tab just before the time is up, you can choose whether to remain logged in.Â
From the Parent AppÂ
You will automatically be logged out of the Parent App after 30 minutes of inactivity. You can also log out by using the logout feature or by closing down the Parent App completely (see instructions below).Â
Tap the profile icon in the bottom right of your screen and select Logout.
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Closing the Parent App
On Android, for example, on a Samsung Galaxy S8, you can close the Parent App by clicking the vertical bars icon at the bottom left of your screen. Swipe the Parent App up to close it, and you will be logged out.
On IOS, for example, on an iPhone SE, you can close the Parent App by clicking the home button twice. Swipe the Parent App up to close it, and you will be logged out.
Resetting my password
Having difficulty resetting your password? There are a number of reasons why you may be struggling to log in to the Parent App or Parent Portal. Use the tips in this article before raising an issue with your school: https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002810985-Troubleshooting-login-issues-why-can-t-I-log-in-to-my-school-s-Parent-Portal-or-Arbor-App-
From within the Arbor Parent Portal
Go to My Items > My Account. Add in your new password details.Â
From within the Parent AppÂ
If you are logged into the Parent App, you can change your password by clicking the profile icon, then clicking your name.
You will then be able to see your account details, including your non-email username. Click to change your password.
On the next screen, type in your current password and your new password, then Change Password.
We have provided links below to Arbor’s dedicated Help Guide, to provide Parents and Carers with support in navigating the system, as well as the new Absence logging system.Â
Useful links:Â
Logging in to the Parent Portal & Parent App – https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020147458-Logging-In-to-the-Parent-Portal-Parent-App Â
A quick introduction to Arbor for Parents and Carers –Â https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/212097029-A-quick-introduction-to-Arbor-for-guardians-and-parentsÂ
Logging absences on the Parent Portal and Arbor App –Â https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/19947254592029-Logging-absences-on-the-Parent-Portal-and-Arbor-AppÂ
