Schools > Registration FAQ

Registration FAQ

 

Who is eligible to register with the Pod?

How many people from a school can register for the Pod?

I've tried searching for my school, but I can't find it. Why not?

I've found my school, and the instructions say to click the 'next step' button. Why can't I see this button?

When I choose a username, a message appears saying 'This username is already taken'. What should I do?

When I try to register, I see an error message saying "This username or e-mail address is already taken. This might be because you are already registered with The Pod or one of our partner sites...'

I am unable to register and need some help. What should I do?

Why has my registration application been rejected?

How can students register with the Pod?

What is the 'pupil invitation code'? What do I do with it? 

   

Who is eligible to register with the Pod?  

You must be a student, teacher, employee or governor of a school to register with The Pod. If this does not apply to you, then you can still view Campaign Guides, Ezines, Gallery, Game Zone and sample lesson Plans on the site. We will accept multiple registrations from any school.   

To post content to your school's gallery and blogs, a teacher or teaching assistant from your school must be registered. This content needs to be approved by a teacher or teaching assistant before it is published. This is a security measure to ensure the integrity of data associated with items written by and about children.   

back to the top


How many people from a school can register for the Pod?

As many people as you like from your school can register on the Pod. Every registered user will receive a copy of the newsletter.

back to the top


I've tried searching for my school, but I can't find it. Why not?

There are several reasons why you may not be able find your school on the Pod:

  • Is your school eligible for the Pod? As The Pod is currently designed for teachers of 4 to 14 year olds, nursery schools and further education colleges are not included in our database, so will not be able to register with the site. We will be expanding the Pod in the future to include older and younger students, so please keep checking back.
  • We may have the name of your school recorded slightly differently to the way you are typing it. Try searching using just the postcode.
  • We may have your school name or address recorded incorrectly. If we've made a mistake, or your school name or address has recently changed, please contact us and let us know.

back to the top


I've found my school, and the instructions say to click the 'next step' button. Why can't I see this button?

Some internet browsers have a setting which means this button doesn't show up. Either:

  • Enable JavaScript in your internet browser (see instructions, below), or
  • Call our support number on 020 335 34915 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, and we'll help you to register with the site.

How to enable JavaScript in some popular internet browsers

Internet Explorer (6.0)

  1. Select 'Tools' from the top menu
  2. Choose 'Internet Options'
  3. Click on the 'Security' tab
  4. Click on 'Custom Level'
  5. Scroll down until you see section labelled 'Scripting'
  6. Under 'Active Scripting', select 'Enable' and click OK

Netscape Navigator (4.8)

  1. Select 'Edit' from the top menu
  2. Choose 'Preferences'
  3. Choose 'Advanced'
  4. Choose 'Scripts & Plugins'
  5. Select the 'Enable JavaScript' checkbox and click OK

Mozilla Firefox (1.0)

  1. Select 'Tools' from the top menu
  2. Choose 'Options'
  3. Choose 'Web Features' from the left navigation
  4. Select the checkbox next to 'Enable JavaScript' and click OK

Mozilla Firefox (1.5)

  1. Select 'Tools' from the top menu
  2. Choose 'Options'
  3. Choose 'Content' from the top navigation
  4. Select the checkbox next to 'Enable JavaScript' and click OK

Apple Safari (1.0)

  1. Select 'Safari' from the top menu
  2. Choose 'Preferences'
  3. Choose 'Security'
  4. Select the checkbox next to 'Enable JavaScript'

If you are still experiencing problems after enabling JavaScript in your browser, your school's firewall or security software may be preventing the button from being displayed. Either speak to your IT administrator, or call our support number on 020 335 34915 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, and we'll help you to register with the site.

back to the top


When I choose a username, a message appears saying 'This username is already taken'. What should I do?

Your username needs to be unique. That means you need to choose one that no one else on the Pod has. With thousands of schools registered, some of the more popular options have already been taken. Try to choose something particular to you that nobody else would have thought of.

If your preferred username is unavailable, you could try replacing certain letters with numbers - for example, replace 'A' with '4' or 'I' with '1'. Or you could add numbers to the end of a word - a memorable date, for example.

back to the top


When I try to register, I see an error message saying"This username or e-mail address is already taken. This might be because you are already registered with The Pod or one of our partner sites. You can use the same username and password for any site that is part of the London 2012 educational programme."What does this mean?

  • If you have already registered with the Pod, you won't be able to register again. If you have forgotten your password, use the 'Forgotten Password?' feature on the website. You can find it at the top of each page, under the login area. If you have forgotten all of your login details, call our support number on 020 335 34915 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, and we'll help you to login to the site.
  • If you have registered with Get Set, the London 2012 Olympics website for young people, you don't need to register for the Pod. You can use the same username and password for both sites.

back to the top


I am unable to register and need some help. What should I do?

If you need help registering with the Pod, either contact us by email, or call our support number on 020 335 34915 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. You will need to provide the following details in order for us to register on your behalf:

  • School name
  • School postcode
  • Your name (title, first name and surname)
  • Your role (teacher, teaching assistant, student, governor, administrator or parent)
  • Your / the school's email address
  • Your preferred username (this must be unique to you and / or your school)
  • Your preferred password
  • The number of pupils at the school
  • How you heard about the Pod
  • A contact telephone number

back to the top


Why has my registration application been rejected?

There are several reasons why your application to register with the Pod can been rejected:

  • Is your school eligible for the Pod? As The Pod is currently designed for teachers of 4 to 14 year olds, nursery schools and further education colleges are not included in our database, so will not be able to register with the site. We will be expanding the Pod in the future to include older and younger students, so please keep checking back.
  • You must be a student, teacher, employee or governor of a school to register with The Pod. If this does not apply to you, then you can still view completed school blogs, add comments to blogs and download all the resources and lesson plans on the site. We will accept multiple registrations from any school. To post content to your school's gallery and blogs, a teacher or teaching assistant from your school must be registered. This content needs to be approved by a teacher or teaching assistant before it is published. This is a security measure to ensure the integrity of data associated with items written by and about children.
  • Every application is checked against a database of all UK schools and employees. Sometimes we contact a school directly to check that applicants are eligible to register. If you are not recorded or confirmed as teacher, employee or governor of a school, your application will be rejected. If you think we have made a mistake, please contact us and let us know.

back to the top


How can students register with the Pod?

Students trying to register with The Pod need to get an invitation code from their teacher. Teachers will be given this code when they register with the site. When their teacher gives them the invitation code, students can register for the site using the normal registration process.

back to the top


What is the 'pupil invitation code'? What do I do with it?

Students trying to register with The Pod need to get an invitation code from their teacher. Teachers will be given this code when they register with the site. When their teacher gives them the invitation code, students can register for the site using the normal registration process.

back to the top