With competition for school places growing and parents becoming increasingly selective, ensuring your school stands out to prospective families is essential. The admissions cycle for September 2026 is already beginning, and now is the time to optimise your school’s marketing strategy to attract and convert interest into applications. From a strong online presence to a compelling school prospectus, here’s how your school can position itself effectively for the upcoming admissions season.
Ensure Your School Website is Engaging and Informative
Your school website is often the first point of contact for prospective parents, so it must make an excellent first impression. A well-designed school website design should:
-
Be easy to navigate, with clear menus and a simple admissions process.
-
Feature engaging content such as virtual tours, testimonials, and up-to-date photography.
-
Be mobile-friendly, as many parents will research schools on their phones.
-
Use professionaly made school videography to give prospective parents and insight in to life at the school.
-
Include a dedicated admissions page with all key dates, open event information, and an easy way to book visits or request a prospectus.
Create a High-Quality School Prospectus
A professionally designed school prospectus is a crucial tool for showcasing your school’s ethos, facilities, and success stories. To make your prospectus as effective as possible:
-
Use high-quality imagery that reflects the school’s culture and strengths.
-
Clearly outline your admissions process, key dates, and entry requirements.
-
Include testimonials from current students and parents to build trust.
-
Offer both digital and printed versions to cater to different preferences.
-
Consider an interactive online prospectus design for maximum enagement
Leverage Digital Marketing for Maximum Visibility
Schools must take an active role in their digital marketing efforts to attract the right families. Key strategies include:
-
Paid Advertising – Google Ads and Facebook/Instagram campaigns targeting parents in your area can drive interest.
-
Social Media Engagement – Regularly post student achievements, event updates, and reminders about application deadlines.
-
Email Marketing – Capture email addresses via your website and send useful admissions updates to prospective families.
-
SEO Optimisation – Ensure your website ranks for key search terms like ‘best schools in [your location]’ and ‘primary/secondary school admissions 2026.’
Host Engaging Open Events and Virtual Tours
Many parents decide on a school based on their experience at an open event. To ensure yours is a success:
-
Promote your event well with banners, flyers, adverts and posters to ensure as many people know about it as possible.
-
Make the booking process simple.
-
Offer both in-person and virtual open days to cater to different needs.
-
Encourage current students to take part in tours – their enthusiasm and real-life insights are invaluable.
-
Consider your internal marketing throughout the areas of the school that will be visitied - make sure everywhere looks professional and all signage is up to date.
-
Follow up with attendees via email, thanking them for visiting and providing next steps.
Strengthen Your School’s Brand and Reputation
Word of mouth is powerful, and a strong reputation can significantly boost applications. Ways to enhance your school’s image include:
-
Ensuring all printed and digital materials reflect a consistent and professional brand identity.
-
Highlighting success stories, such as university placements, sports achievements, and community involvement.
-
Encouraging parent testimonials
Make the Application Process Simple and Accessible
A complicated admissions process can deter families. Ensure your application journey is as smooth as possible by:
-
Offering online applications with clear guidance at every step.
-
Providing a dedicated admissions contact for questions and support.
-
Sending reminders to families about upcoming deadlines and required documentation.
With careful planning and strategic marketing, your school can attract more prospective families and increase applications for September 2026. By investing in your school website, designing a compelling school prospectus, and utilising effective school marketing strategies, you’ll put your school in the best position to welcome new pupils next year.
If you need support with school website design, school prospectus design, or marketing strategies to enhance your admissions process, contact us at FSE Design today.