Many schools have asked us for a simple way to say “these accounts are for school hours”. Perhaps younger pupils should not be signing in at midnight, or a group of devices should only be used during the school day.

From today you can set sign-in hours for any users you choose.

How it works

  • You choose a start time and an end time for the users you select.
  • Inside that window, they sign in as normal, with their password, their QR code or 2FA.
  • Outside it, Realsmart politely refuses: “You are not allowed to login at this time. Please try again during your allowed login hours.”
  • Windows can run overnight too, for example from 20:00 to 06:00, if that suits a particular group.
  • Times are in your school’s local time.
The sign-in page for the demo school Linnet Hill Primary School showing a red message: 'You are not allowed to login at this time. Please try again during your allowed login hours.'
Outside their hours, pupils see a clear message. Screenshot from a demo school, as it looks today; names are fictional.

Setting sign-in hours

  1. In ADAdmin, open Users and select the people you want, such as a class or a year group.
  2. Choose the Login Times bulk action.
  3. Enter a Login Start Time and a Login End Time, then choose Save Login Times.

The users list shows each person’s window in the Login Times column. To remove a window, select the users again and choose Clear Login Times.

ADAdmin Users bulk actions with a class of pupils selected and the Login options panel limiting sign-in to 08:30 to 15:30, at Oakfield Academy, a fictional demo school.
Select the pupils, then set their start and end times. Today this lives under Login options. Screenshot from a demo school, as it looks today; names are fictional.

Good to know

  • It is checked when someone signs in. Anyone already signed in when the window closes is not signed out.
  • It covers Realsmart sign-in. That includes the apps your pupils reach through their Realsmart launchpad.
  • Nothing changes until you set it. Users without a window can sign in at any time, as before.

If you would like help choosing sensible hours for your school, email support@realsmart.co.uk.