This guide is focused on the LA Documents folder within your document pool. If you need to know more about the other folders available to you, this guide can help.
The Documents area is the central place for all files securely shared between your school and the Local Authority (LA). It gives you a safe and reliable way to receive important information, without worrying about security or accessibility.
Every document that the LA sends to your school is stored in this area, and the folder structure you see is determined by your LA. This means that the arrangement of folders may vary slightly depending on your local setup, but the purpose is the same: to keep everything organised and easy to find.
Note: Documents are sent by your Local Authority. If you can't locate one or there are inaccuracies, please contact them directly.
Accessing LA Documents
To view documents sent by your LA, start by clicking the LA option on your main toolbar and selecting LA Documents Folder.
On the left-hand side of the page, you’ll see a tree view of folders. You can expand these folders to see the contents inside. Clicking on a file will download it directly to your device, allowing you to view, save, or share it within your school as required.
Any new files sent to your school will automatically be marked as New for 30 days. This makes it easy to spot the latest additions, even if you haven’t checked the system for a while.
Availability and Support
All documents within this section are uploaded by your Local Authority. If you can’t locate a particular file, or if you spot any inaccuracies in the information provided, your first step should be to contact your LA for clarification.
If you cannot see the Documents folder at all, it could be that:
The module has not been switched on for your school, or
Your LA does not currently subscribe to this service.
If you’re unsure, it’s always best to check with your Local Authority.
Confidential Files
In some cases, your LA may need to send information that is more sensitive in nature. These will not appear in the standard folders, but instead in a separate location called My Confidential Files, found under Services > Documents.
Access to confidential files is restricted for security reasons, so you may notice that fewer staff members have permission to view them. For more detailed guidance, see our dedicated Confidential Files guide.
Sending Files Back to the LA
Sometimes you may need to return documents or provide additional information back to your LA. This is not done through the Documents folder itself, but through the File Returns module.
To do this, navigate to Services > File Returns. Here you can securely upload files directly to the Local Authority, whether in response to a specific request or as a standalone submission. For step-by-step instructions, see our File Returns guide.
Permissions
Finally, remember that access to the Documents area (and to confidential files or File Returns) depends on the permissions set within your school’s Perspective account. If you can’t see the options you need, it may be that you don’t currently have access. In this case, speak to your headteacher, who can adjust permissions if appropriate.