Open events offer schools a prime opportunity to win over prospective families … it gives families a chance to see the school for themselves and speak with current pupils and staff about their experiences. But what is an impactful open event without sufficient planning and preparation?
Local Voice Media has supported local secondaries in the build-up to their open events – this has involved developing an initial action plan, followed by producing prospectuses and marketing materials, video production, social media marketing, and supporting on the evening with speeches and presentations. All of these elements, plus the ongoing transition work done within local primaries, are crucial to ensuring a sufficient turn-out at an open event.
Planning for open evenings needs to start early in the academic year … this allows for staff to find time to support with the various aspects of the plan, such as contributing to the school prospectus or featuring in promotional videos. Our schools’ marketing calendar, which highlights key diary dates, can be downloaded, here.
Local Voice Media has supported Orchard School Bristol since 2011 – the school had been struggling with attendance at its open evenings and mornings, which had a knock-on effect on student numbers. Through effective open evening planning and marketing, we have seen attendance at open events dramatically improve over the years. For example, through developing an effective social media marketing campaign, which utilised Eventbrite and Facebook, the school saw a 400% increase in open morning turnout in 2017.
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