A Surrey boarding school is getting an edge in the competitive private schools’ market by using mobile technology to provide instant feedback to parents.

Box Hill School in Mickleham already has a website giving parents access to pupils’ records. But now parents on the move will be able to check on their children and make sure they are getting their money’s worth. Termly boarding fees at the school are pound;4,073.

It seems the days are long gone when parents packed their children off to boarding school and at the end of each year received an annual report.

More than a quarter of parents have already signed up for weekly assessments, monthly grades and reports on their children’s behaviour.

John Pratten, business development manager at Box Hill, said: “It is not designed as a stick, but as a carrot. I think it will improve the way the children work. We know how lax some children can be about bringing home report cards.

“The kids will have to be more on their mettle as the parents will have the information at their fingertips. It will be a real record of their attainment. Parents will also be able to look at examples of their children’s work on the Internet.”