Cymraeg
Hwb

Google Classroom

How to collaborate, share resources and manage learning activities through Hwb.

Overview

Google Classroom is an online learning platform that helps practitioners and learners work together, share resources and manage assignments. All learners and practitioners in Wales can access Google Classroom through Hwb. 

Visit Google's Classroom Help to find out more.

How to access Google classroom

You can access Google Classroom in 3 ways:

  1. Log in to the Hwb website and click the Google for Education app on the Hwb dashboard. This will take you to the Google Classroom homepage.
  2. Visit Google.com, and log in using your Hwb credentials. This will take you to the Classroom homepage. 
  3. On iPads and other mobile devices, download the Classroom app from the App Store or Play Store and sign in using your Hwb credentials.

Once logged in, check the top right corner of the screen to ensure that you are using your Hwb account and not a personal Google account. 

How Google Classroom can support schools

  • Practitioners can create classes, invite learners and co-teachers, post announcements, assignments and questions in a central place. 
  • Practitioners can organise content using topics, reuse posts and schedule assignments in advance. 
  • Commenting, private feedback, marking workflows and downloadable grade data supports assessment and feedback.
  • Each learner can automatically receive their own copy of resources (for example, Google Docs, Slides or Sheets), enabling individual work while allowing practitioners to monitor progress live.
  • Practitioners can assign work to individual learners or groups. This supports differentiation and personalised learning.
  • Google Meet is accessible directly through Classroom to support learning continuity seamlessly during periods of disruption or absence. See our live lessons guidance when using Google Meet for learning continuity.

Setting up Google Classroom

You can find out how to get started with Google Classroom in the Google Teacher Center.

Creating pre-populated Classrooms in the User Management Portal

Schools can create Google Classrooms for timetabled classes in a school’s Management Information system (MIS) by staff or a Hwb administrator: 

  1. Log in to Hwb and go to User Management. 
  2. Click Administration: View Groups. 
  3. Use the Filters to find the class by selecting the year, group type, teacher or academic year. (Hwb administrators will see all classes in the school however, teachers will only see their own classes). 
  4. Click on a class to display information for that group. This will include an overview and a list of all learners in that group. 
  5. Click Add Google Classroom+ to create the Google Classroom. Classrooms are usually created within a few minutes; however, it may take up to an hour at busier times of the day. 

Adding teachers to a pre-populated classroom in the User Management Portal 

Hwb administrators can add themselves as teachers of a pre-populated Google Classroom in the User Management Portal: 

  1. Log in to Hwb and go to User Management. 
  2. Click Administration: View Groups. 
  3. Use the filters to find the required class by selecting the year, group type, teacher or academic year (Hwb administrators will see all classes in the school, teachers will only see their own classes). 
  4. Click on a class to display information for that group. This will include an overview and a list of all learners in that group. 
  5. Click Manage Google Classroom. 
  6. Click Add as Teacher, then OK. 

Classroom owners can also add other staff as teachers in the Google Classroom app.

Recovering archived classrooms 

If a classroom has been archived, it can be recovered. This will restore the classroom exactly as it was before it was archived, including files, documents, assignments, membership and name. 

Teachers or owners of the classrooms can recover these in the Google Classroom app: 

  1. Click Main menu at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines). 
  2. Click Archived classes. 
  3. Click Restore. 
  4. Click Confirm Restore. 

Hwb administrators can also recover an archived Google classroom from the User Management Portal: 

  1. Log in to Hwb and go to User Management. 
  2. Click Administration: View Groups. 
  3. Use the filters to find the required class by selecting the year, group type, teacher or academic year (Hwb administrators will see all classes in the school; however, teachers will only see their own classes). 
  4. Click on a class to display information for that group. This will include an overview and a list of all learners in that group. 
  5. Click Manage Google Classroom. 
  6. Click Unarchive, then OK. 

Restoring a pre-populated Google classroom from a previous academic year 

All classrooms created via the User Management Portal are automatically archived at the end of the academic year. 

Hwb administrators, School Administrators and Staff can restore their classrooms from a previous academic year by following the steps below: 

  1. Log in to Hwb and go to User Management. 
  2. Click Administration: View Groups. 
  3. Use the filters to find the required class by selecting the year, group type, teacher or academic year (Hwb administrators will see all classes in the school, but teachers will only see their own classes). 
  4. Click on a class to display information for that group. This will include an overview and a list of all learners in that group. 
  5. Click Restore Google Classroom. 

Although you can usually restore classrooms quickly, during busier times it can take up to an hour before you are able to see the classroom again. Any restored classroom will no longer be linked to the school’s MIS. 

Gemini in Google Classroom 

Find out more about accessing and using Gemini in Google Classroom and the key features and benefits. 

Key considerations 

  • Google Classroom should be used in accordance with wider school policies, such as: 
    • digital literacy
    • online safety
    • acceptable use
    • safeguarding
    • data protection
  • Practitioners should ensure Google Classroom is accessed using Hwb accounts only. Check the top right corner of the screen for account details.
  • Communication and interactions must remain professional and appropriate at all times.
  • Practitioners should regularly review class membership and manage access appropriately.
  • Classes should be archived when no longer required to maintain security and organisation.

Data assurances 

Google Classroom is part of Google Workspace for Education and benefits from the same data protection and security standards as other Google core services through Hwb. Further information is available in the Google Workspace data assurances. 

  • Last updated 14 July 2026