UK Primary School Switches to Clever for Secure, One-Click Access to Apps

For Cornerstone C of E Primary School, the problem was hiding in plain sight: every pupil was sharing the same login credentials. It was a quick fix that had become a real security risk — and Digital Lead Henry Penfold knew it was time for a better way. As a Microsoft Showcase School with an ambition to embed technology invisibly into everyday learning, Cornerstone needed a solution that was both secure and seamless. After switching from an alternative to Clever, every pupil from Reception through Year 6 now has their own unique, secure password, and the entire school can log in to every learning application in a single click, whether they’re in the classroom or at home.

The Challenge: Shared Passwords, Lost Learning Time, and a Failed Alternative

Like many primary schools, Cornerstone had fallen into a common pattern: shared device passwords and application logins for pupils. It was convenient, but the risks were clear. Without individual credentials, protecting accounts was nearly impossible — lockout screens and login issues regularly interrupted lessons, eating into valuable teaching time.

The school had previously trialled an alternative single sign-on solution, but the experience proved costly and frustrating. Implementation dragged on for months, and adding new applications to the platform involved complex, time-consuming workflows. It wasn’t the seamless, secure solution Cornerstone needed — and it wasn’t delivering value for money. A better path forward was needed.

The Solution: Unique Logins and Instant Access for Every Pupil

After evaluating their options, Cornerstone chose Clever for several key reasons: seamless synchronization with their Management Information System (MIS) Arbor, eliminating the need for manual CSV uploads; typing-free access to applications and Windows devices for pupils and staff via Clever Badges; detailed analytics on edtech application usage; and a straightforward, cost-effective experience for IT. Critically, Clever’s passwordless login approach also supported the school’s innovation strategy as a Microsoft Showcase School — where the goal is to make technology so embedded and secure that pupils focus on the learning task, not the tool.

Each child now has their own unique username and password — making accounts more secure and giving staff confidence that access is properly managed. Complex, robust passwords can now be set and managed securely on the back end, without placing any burden on pupils to remember them.

The impact on day-to-day classroom life was immediate. Through the Clever Portal, children across all year groups — from Reception through Year 6 — can now log in to all their educational applications in a single click, whether they’re sitting in a classroom or learning from home. Younger pupils use Clever Badges for entirely typing-free access, removing the login barrier entirely and recovering instructional time that was previously lost to lockout screens. Clever’s automatic synchronisation with Arbor means pupil data is always up to date, without any manual work from IT staff — and adding new applications to the portal takes just a few clicks.

Key applications now easily accessible via Clever Portal include:

• EdShed: A leading literacy and numeracy learning platform.
• Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS): The popular maths fluency application loved by pupils and teachers alike.

The Results: A Transformed Classroom and Home Learning

Since rolling out Clever, Cornerstone has seen measurable improvements across security, IT efficiency, access, and learner engagement — and teachers have noticed the difference in the classroom.

Security

• Every pupil now has a unique, individual password — eliminating the risks associated with shared logins and enabling complex, secure passwords to be managed automatically on the back end.
• Since switching to Clever, the school has received zero login-related IT support tickets — freeing up IT resources and giving the team confidence in day-to-day operations.

Access & Learning

• All year groups — from Reception through Year 6 — can instantly access every resource they need through a single portal, with Clever Badges enabling completely typing-free logins for younger pupils.
• Applications like EdShed and Times Tables Rock Stars are now seamlessly available via single sign-on to all learners.
• Learning at home is now as frictionless as in the classroom — pupils log in and get straight to work, and teachers have shared positive feedback about no longer losing lesson time to login issues.

Community Impact

The benefits of Clever haven’t gone unnoticed beyond the school gates. At a recent event, a Cornerstone parent visited the Clever stand to share how the platform had transformed their child’s experience of learning at home.

A Blueprint for Primary School Security

Cornerstone C of E Primary School’s story is a compelling example of what’s possible when schools take a practical, pupil-first approach to cybersecurity and digital acScess. As a Microsoft Showcase School, Cornerstone’s ambition has always been to make technology invisible — embedded so seamlessly into school life that pupils can focus entirely on learning. By replacing shared logins with unique, easy-to-manage credentials, synchronizing automatically with Arbor, and bringing all learning resources together in Clever Portal, the school is safer, IT overhead is reduced, and classroom learning extends seamlessly into the home.

For any primary school navigating the dual challenge of digital safety and resource accessibility — or looking to move away from a costly, complicated alternative — Cornerstone’s story offers a clear and practical path forward.