Setting up Single Sign-On (SSO) for Peerscroller
This guide is designed for school leadership teams, IT departments, administrators, and data teams who are considering enabling SSO for Peerscroller. It explains what SSO is, the benefits of using it, whether it’s right for your organisation, and how to set it up.
What is Single Sign-On (SSO)?
Single Sign-On (SSO) allows users to log in to Peerscroller using their existing school or work credentials, such as their Microsoft or Google accounts.
Instead of creating and remembering a separate Peerscroller password, users simply authenticate through their organisation’s existing login system. This makes accessing the platform faster and easier, while keeping account management centralised within the organisation.
Peerscroller currently supports OAuth authentication, enabling secure sign-in via Microsoft or Google accounts.
Why log in via SSO?
Enabling SSO can offer several advantages for schools and colleges using Peerscroller:
Reduced barriers to entry - users can access the platform quickly using accounts they already use every day, removing the need to create new credentials.
Fewer support requests - password resets are one of the most common technical support issues in schools. SSO significantly reduces these requests, helping both internal IT teams and the Peerscroller support team.
Encourages institutional account use - when users sign in with their school email accounts, it helps ensure that accounts are linked to verified identities within the organisation.
Security benefits - authentication is handled through Microsoft or Google’s secure login systems. This allows organisations to maintain their existing security policies and authentication processes.
Compliance support - using established authentication systems can help organisations align with security frameworks such as Cyber Essentials, particularly around identity management and secure login processes.
Is SSO right for your organisation?
SSO is particularly useful for schools and colleges that:
Already manage user accounts through Microsoft or Google
Want to simplify login for learners, parents, and staff
Want to reduce the number of password-related support requests
Are planning to roll out Peerscroller to a large number of users
It’s important to note that at present, SSO cannot be enabled for specific user groups only (such as staff-only or learners-only). If enabled, it applies across the platform.
Setting up your organisation to use SSO
Enabling SSO with Peerscroller is straightforward and typically handled by your school or college IT team, with support from our Success Specialists if needed.
How to enable SSO login
To enable SSO, your IT team will need to configure authentication through Microsoft or Google (your identity provider) and ensure it’s enabled within Peerscroller.
Typical setup steps include:
Configure your organisation’s authentication provider (Microsoft or Google) to allow OAuth login. (IT team - Microsoft/Google admin panel).
Enable OAuth login within Peerscroller. (We can help with this step!)
Ensure user details such as email, first name, and last name are shared during authentication - (Identity provider settings)
Test the setup with a small number of accounts before rolling it out to all users (IT ream).
When testing SSO, it’s best to use accounts with the same restrictions and permissions as your learners or staff so you can identify any potential access issues before a full launch.
Compatible ecosystems
Peerscroller supports authentication through:
Microsoft (Entra ID / Azure AD accounts)
Google Workspace accounts
Optional: disabling password login
Some organisations choose to enforce SSO-only login, which prevents users from creating separate Peerscroller passwords. This can be done to ensure all users log in through their school-managed accounts, to improve security and reduce password-related support issues
Where this happens:
This is controlled within Peerscroller, not Microsoft or Google
Who can do this:
This is typically configured by the Peerscroller team, in collaboration with your school or college IT team
Instructing users
When introducing SSO, schools/colleges should provide clear guidance users.
Who does this:
Usually school staff or administrators, supported by IT
What to communicate:
How to use “Log in with Microsoft” or “Log in with Google”
That users should sign in with their school email address
Who to contact (IT or your Peerscroller Success Specialist) if login issues occur
How SSO works for users
Once SSO has been enabled by your IT team, users can log in quickly using their existing Microsoft or Google accounts.
Learners and parents
If users have already been added to the platform (for example through a bulk upload by your IT team), they can sign in using the SSO login option without creating a separate password.
Staff
Staff accounts follow the same process. Once their account is linked to the organisation, they simply log in using the relevant Microsoft or Google authentication option.
Existing Peerscroller accounts
Users who previously created a Peerscroller password can still log in using SSO. Both login methods can work alongside each other unless password login is disabled.
If SSO is not enabled
If SSO is not enabled for your organisation, users will need to create and manage separate Peerscroller login credentials.
Other considerations
Bulk uploads and account linking
If users are bulk uploaded to the platform by your IT team, their accounts are automatically linked to the organisation, allowing them to log in via SSO.
Parent accounts
SSO can also be used for parent accounts, not just learners or staff. If you enable it for one group, it’s enabled for all. But that doesn’t mean everyone has to log in this way!
Personal Microsoft or Google accounts
Because Peerscroller does not currently integrate directly with Microsoft Entra ID or Google Workspace directories, users may be able to authenticate using personal Microsoft or Google accounts. Schools should encourage users to log in using their school-issued accounts where possible, for stronger security.
6-digit signup codes
Depending on how accounts are created, organisations may still use 6-digit signup codes as part of the initial setup process.
Future developments
Some schools/colleges may wish to restrict SSO access to verified institutional accounts or manage users directly through identity systems like Microsoft Entra ID.
Currently, restricting login exclusively to verified school or work accounts would require deeper integration with identity management systems such as Microsoft Entra ID.
While Peerscroller does not currently provide direct account management through Microsoft Entra ID or Google Workspace, this is something that may be explored in the future if there is demand from partner organisations.
What do you need support with?
If your organisation is interested in enabling SSO for Peerscroller, or would like help setting it up, please reach out to us here!
Our team will be happy to support your IT department with the setup process.