Effective Strategies for Admissions Marketing and Engagement

Admissions Marketing

Market Data Analysis Data: Reviewed 1stpreference & Oct Census data for surrounding schools LA / DfE Reviewed 1stpreference & offer trends v PAN LA place planning liaison for forecasts & any PAN changes locally Were schools gaining / losing market share or was the market shrinking or both. Identified the key feeder nurseries / primaries. Efficient deployment of resource & effort. Historic trends & their current year group numbers Tracked retention from own nurseries Identified where to direct resource & effort Reviewed what competitor schools were doing state & independent? Website & socials review Impact on their data

Formulated a plan & assigned responsibilities Feeder Nursery / Primary Engagement Community & Family Engagement Digital Marketing & Other Advertising Showcased USPs Online presence Engagement activities Lettings Student events Local community events Open Schools facilities funding Feedback / surveys to inform messaging Celebrated current student life Highlighted past student success & their journey with the school

For key feeders had personal relationship with primary HT to understand what was attractive/helpful to them. Got as many of the primary feeder HT to attend open days. Aimed for transition connections from years 4 & 5 Used facilities secondaries have that primary don t to attract on site visits (DT/Science labs/Food tech/ sports facilities etc). Especially useful in summer 2 term. Curriculum workshops / use of facilities Shows / event attendance schools and prospective parents Outreach including using student ambassadors Feeder school SENDCo networks Looked for recognition in any primary newsletters to parents. Shared a link to their newsletter. Considered lettings that attract primary age children (& their parents) into school. Feeder Engagement: Secondary

For key nursery feeders had a personal relationship with nursery leader Got as many of the nursery feeder leaders to attend your open days. Those without nurseries offered them a table to sell their nurseries to a wide parent group. Staff & parent workshops (e.g. phonics) to aid transition & early identification of need. Shows / event attendance - prospective parents Used facilities to bring nursery children on site forest school areas, plays/choirs/ lettings for birthday parties. For children outside nursery developed connections with local mother & toddler groups offered stay and play sessions. Where there was space, offered facilities for midwife & health visitor sessions. Feeder Engagement: Primary Shared school newsletters with feeders and news in local social groups. Year 6 sports leaders supported nursery sports events on site

Engagement Admin For all tours/open days included online registration. Captured name, email address, family/carer postcode, current location of child (nursery./school). Ensured that the online registration gave Data Protection consent for ongoing communication feedback / school events / news / application reminders. Tours & open days ran at different times/days This year were running offer holder visit days to secure offer acceptance Schools worked together especially where there was a very popular school, were honest that all children won t be placed but the sister school is just as good ensured the admin team had key info. Ensured website was up to date & key data easy to click through. Ensured website & social media channels were populated with news mystery shopper Developed relationship with Housing associations as well as estate agents - provided leaflet with QR code to school website for them to pass out. Good for in year admissions to fill upper year group gaps. Engaged with any new housing sales offices

Key to Success was: Developing relationships between SLT & feeders. Working on it ALL year round.