Checking tickets at a school event

Jun 17, 2026

PT: Checking tickets

Overview

For interview rounds where parents are issued tickets, SOBS includes a built-in QR code scanner that runs in a web browser on any device with a camera. Staff at the entrance to the venue can scan each parent’s ticket as they arrive — the scanner confirms the booking, records the arrival time, and prevents the same ticket from being used twice.

No app install is required. The scanner runs in a regular browser tab using the device’s camera.

Enabling ticket generation on a round

  1. Open the interview round and edit its settings.
  2. In the Generate tickets dropdown choose Ticket a number of seats. (Leave it as No ticketing if you don’t want tickets.)
  3. Save the round.

Once ticketing is enabled, each parent booking includes a QR code that the parent can print or display on their phone as their ticket for the event.

Opening the check-in scanner

  1. On a device with a camera (phone, tablet, or laptop) log in to SOBS as a staff member.
  2. Ensure you are in the Parent Booking application.
  3. From the top left menu you can select “Checkin”.
  4. SOBS will check camera compatibility and then display the live video feed under the heading SOBS Checkin.
  5. If your device has more than one camera, use the Change video source dropdown to select the one you want to use (for example, the rear camera on a
    phone).

You may be asked by the browser to grant access to the camera the first time you open the page. Camera access must be allowed for the scanner to work.

Scanning a ticket

  1. Hold the parent’s QR code in front of the camera. The scanner reads it automatically — there is no button to press.
  2. For a valid ticket, the parent or student name appears on screen along with the seat count, and a confirmation tone plays.
  3. The booking is then marked as scanned so the same ticket cannot be used again.

What the scanner messages mean

  • Name and seat count shown — the ticket is valid and the booking is now flagged as arrived.
  • Ticket has already been scanned at <date/time> — the same QR code has been used before. Each ticket is single-use.
  • This ticket is for <date/time> — the ticket is for a different time slot than the current round expects. Common when a parent rebooked but
    brought the original ticket.
  • Booking not found — the booking referenced by the QR code no longer exists (it may have been deleted).
  • Invalid code — the scanned image is not a SOBS ticket QR code.

Each error result also plays an error tone so staff can tell at a glance whether a scan succeeded without looking at the screen.

Tips for event night

  • One device per check-in lane works well. Multiple devices can run the scanner at once — the “already scanned” check prevents the same ticket being accepted
    twice.
  • Position the device so the camera has good lighting on the ticket. Phones tend to focus quickly; older laptops may need the ticket held a little further back.
  • If the parent has the ticket on their phone, ask them to turn the screen brightness up to make the QR code easier to read.
  • The page has a Return button at the bottom to go back to the staff interface when you are done.

Privacy and audit

  • The QR code is a single-use token bound to one booking, one slot and one school. It does not contain personal details.
  • Each successful scan records the time on the booking record, so you can report on arrival times after the event.
  • Only logged-in staff can open the scanner page.