This article explains how to reset passwords for both students and staff members in Sparx Science. Password resets can be triggered either by the users themselves or by another staff member.
Student password resets
To reduce password reset requests, consider enabling Single Sign-On (SSO), which allows students to log in using their school Microsoft or Google accounts. See Setting up single Sign-On (login with Google/Microsoft) for more information.
Student password resets have to be approved by a teacher. This is to prevent students from 'hijacking' one anothers accounts when they know each other's dates of birth.
How students request a password reset
How students request a password reset
Students can trigger a password reset by clicking 'Forgotten login details?' on the login page
Then clicking on 'Student'
Then entering their first name, last name and date of birth
Then clicking on 'Submit'
The student will see a message advising that they'll need to wait for a teacher to approve their password reset request.
Approving student password reset requests
Approving student password reset requests
When a student requests a password reset, a yellow 'Forgotten password' message will appear under the student's login status in Student Manager
To approve, click on the Forgotten password message or the student's name and it will take you to the Student's Details.
Scroll down and click on Reset Password, read the message that opens and click on Reset student password to save.
Manually resetting students' passwords (without them needing to request a reset)
Manually resetting students' passwords (without them needing to request a reset)
In exceptional circumstances, you may wish to allow a student to reset their password without requesting a reset first. For example, at the start of a new school year, if a student in your class says they've forgotten their password, you could manually allow a reset:
Go to the Student's Details, scroll down to the bottom and select Reset Password, read the message that opens and click on Reset student password to save.
How students set a new password after a reset request is approved
How students set a new password after a reset request is approved
Once a teacher has approved a password reset, the student can choose a new password by clicking 'Forgotten login details?' on the login page again
Then clicking on 'Student'
Then entering their first name, last name and date of birth
Then clicking on 'Submit'
Then setting and confirming their new password
They can then log in with their new password
Staff password resets
Staff members can reset their own passwords
Staff members can reset their own passwords
Go to the login page
Click 'Forgot login details?'
Click 'Teacher'
Enter your email address
Click 'Continue'
You'll receive a password reset email. Click on the link in the email to choose a new password.
Frequently asked questions
Can I print a list of usernames and password for students and hand them out manually?
Can I print a list of usernames and password for students and hand them out manually?
No. For security reasons, students' passwords are encrypted. This encryption prevents us from displaying passwords for printing. Students' usernames are one word and made up of their first name and last name.
A student says that their password reset needs to be approved. Why am I not being given the option to approve the reset?
A student says that their password reset needs to be approved. Why am I not being given the option to approve the reset?
Either another teacher has actioned the reset, or the student has remembered their password and logged in successfully.
You can check this viewing the student's 'Login status' in Student Manager.
Why can't my student log in after resetting their password?
Why can't my student log in after resetting their password?
If students are still having problems logging in after following the reset process, check that they are:
Using the correct school when logging in
Entering their date of birth correctly
Ensure they are not entering an extra space after their name
Using their Sparx username (not their school username)
I'm a staff member. Why am I not receiving a password reset email that I've requested?
I'm a staff member. Why am I not receiving a password reset email that I've requested?
It's possible that the email address linked to your account in Sparx Science is incorrect. Ask a colleague to check that your email address is correct under Staff Manager, and correct it if not.