Schola tells you about messages, announcements and updates in two ways: a bell in the header, and push notifications on your device.
The bell
Always on, for everyone. It counts unread messages and announcements and doesn't need any setup.
Push notifications
Settings → Notifications turns on push for the device you're using. This is a per-device choice, not a per-account one — switching it on for your laptop doesn't switch it on for your phone.
Your browser will ask permission the first time. If you refuse, Schola can't ask again; you'll need to re-allow notifications in your browser settings for the site.
On iPhone, install the app first
iPhones and iPads only deliver push notifications to apps added to the home screen. In Safari, tap Share → Add to Home Screen, then open Schola from that icon and turn notifications on there.
Without that step the toggle won't work, and this is a limitation of iOS rather than something we can change. Android and desktop browsers work without installing.
What guardians get
If your school uses gate check-in, guardians with push enabled get an alert when their child arrives or leaves. This is the main reason to encourage parents to install Schola on their phone.
Turning it off
Switch the toggle off in Settings → Notifications, or turn notifications off for the site in your browser. Existing alerts stop immediately; the bell keeps working.