Education request template

School permission form signing request template

A school permission form records a parent or guardian's agreement for a child to take part in a specific activity, excursion, or event.

Send a school permission form request Browse all templates

What is a school permission form?

A school permission form is a signed record that a parent or guardian agrees to their child participating in a particular activity, such as an excursion, sport, or off-site event. It usually sets out what the activity involves, the date and location, any costs, and relevant safety or supervision details, and captures the signer's agreement on a specific date.

Permission forms matter because they confirm informed consent before a child takes part and give schools a clear record of who has agreed. They help with duty-of-care obligations, headcounts, and emergency contacts, and reduce last-minute confusion. A signing tool streamlines collection and tracking, but the school remains responsible for the activity, supervision, and any professional advice it requires.

When to use a school permission form

Before an excursion, camp, or off-site school activity
For sport, swimming, or events that involve added supervision or risk
When a child needs transport arranged for an activity
When a school must confirm consent and emergency details before a date

What to include in a school permission form

Activity details: what the activity is, plus date, time, and location.
Student details: the child's name, class or year, and any relevant identifiers.
Supervision and transport: who is supervising and how students travel to and from the event.
Costs and items: any fees payable and what the child needs to bring.
Consent and emergency contact: parent or guardian agreement, signature, date, and a contact number.

Pros and cons of sending a school permission form as a signing request

Pros

Each form goes privately to the right parent or guardian
You can see who has opened, previewed, and signed at a glance
Reminders and an expiry help you collect consent before the activity date
A completion receipt gives a clear record of who agreed

Cons and things to watch

A signed form does not remove the school's duty of care
Parents without easy email or device access may need an alternative
Details like costs or timing may change after signing and need resending
It does not replace risk assessments or required approvals

How to send a school permission form with Cosign

Upload the permission form and preview it to confirm the activity details, date, and signing field are correct.
Add the parent or guardian as the signer using their name and contact details.
Set a 7-day expiry so consent is collected before the activity, and add a password if needed.
Send the request, track opens and signatures, and keep the receipt for your records.

School permission form request details

Email subject

School permission request

Default message

Please review and sign this permission form before the activity date.

Signer setup

Parent or guardian

Suggested expiry

7 days

Button label

Sign permission form

Best fit

Education teams

School permission form FAQs

Is an electronically signed school permission form valid in Australia?

Electronic signatures are generally recognised under Australian electronic transactions laws when the signer consents to sign electronically and the method reliably identifies them. Many schools accept electronic permission forms, but check your school or department policy. This is general information, not legal advice.

Who should sign a school permission form?

A parent or legal guardian with authority to consent for the child usually signs. The form should make clear the relationship of the signer to the student.

Is the permission form kept private?

Yes. Cosign sends each form through a private link to the named parent or guardian only, and documents are not indexed by search engines. You can add a password for extra control.

How do I know if a parent has opened the form?

Cosign tracks when the link is opened and previewed and when the form is signed, so you can see who still needs to respond before the deadline.

What if the form is not signed before the activity?

Set an expiry before the activity date and use reminders to prompt parents. If a form lapses, you can resend it rather than including a child without recorded consent.