This conference, now in its fifth year offers Marketing and Admissions professionals the opportunity to access affordable relevant CPD. Tickets are priced this year at just £45 plus VAT You can choose to join us in person at Queen Ethelburgas,York or online. Each ticket includes access for ALL of your team online and up to two in person. Everyone will also have access to the recordings afterwards. 

In the current climate we find ourselves in a catch 22 position - never before has it been more important that school marketers are top of their game yet budgets for CPD are tight. With the support of sector experts we are able to bring this day of high quality CPD to you for just £45 if you sign up before 1st Feb- please do share far and wide with your team. 

Programme

900am Coffee

930am KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Sarah Cunnane, Head of Media and Comms, Independent Schools Council

We are delighted to welcome Sarah Cunnane who will share with us the latest work of the ISC together with top tips to ensure you are communicating cleary and effectively with all your stakeholders. Sarah is an experienced journalist and comms expert with a strong track record in crisis management, engaging with multiple stakeholders and developing strategies. 

1010 The Art of Resilience: Driving Admissions during economic uncertainty, Sally Alexander, MD, Ambleglow

In the current climate recruiting pupils is arguably tougher than its ever been. This session will look at how to ensure you understand your points of difference for your school and create messaging that moves people into the sector. It will also look at how to keep marketing costs as tight as possible, together with ideas as to how to ensure your team's budget is not cut to the bone. 

1045 Coffee

1105 The power of personalisation in the customer journey

In this presentation, Ben Russell, UK Partnerships Director at UBIQ, will be sharing how personalisation can transform your digital marketing output and the building blocks to getting there. Using real world examples, Ben will be sharing the journey to achieving a game-changing website without becoming overwhelmed by long-term goals.

1135 Case Study Sessions

1135-1210: Giggleswick  School, Jo Phillips, Director of External Relations

Jo joined Giggleswick school in 2023 and spearheaded their bold marketing campaign around the decision to not add VAT on to school fees. Jo will talk us through the campaign at Giggleswick, sharing what worked and what didn't! 

1210 - 1240 Hymers College,  Laura Booth, Head of Admissions and Marketing

Laura moved from the Further and Higher Education sectors to Hymers in 2023. Since joining the sector Laura has been a pioneer in sharing best practice and has visited and connected with many of her contemporaries at fellow Independent schools. Laura will talk about her journey of moving sectors and how to network and share best practice.

1240-1325 Lunch

1330 Workshop choice: 

Boosting Enquiries & Registrations with SEO: How six months can make a difference
This session will look at how to increase visibility, boost enquiries and accelerate registration in just six months using SEO.

Social Media for Schools: From clutter to clarity, how to transform parental engagement with a mobile app
This session will be a case study from Willington Prep School, Wimbledon as to how they have streamlined their approach successfully in this difficult area.

Smart PPC: The School Marketer's Guide to High-Performing Ads
Are your Google and Meta ads actually working? This session will reveal the best-performing PPC strategies for independent schools, focusing on audience segmentation, keyword intent, and ad creative that converts.

1400 KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Crisis Management, Mark Brealey, MB Communications

Mark Brealey specialises in Crisis communication training. As a former BBC journalist he has trained CEOs across the public sector. He will talk you through how you can ensure your school is ready for a crisis should one arise.

1445 AI to save you time in marketing, Sophy Walker, MD, M4Success

Sophy has over 20 years experience in the Independent Schools Sector having held senior positions at Felsted School, Royal Hospital School and New Hall School. She has embraced AI and its use in the niche world of Independent Schools Marketing and currently advises schools on marketing strategy, and how AI can save them time and money. This session will offer you practical tips on how you can use AI to save you time and money - focussing on the areas that are most relevant for those operating in our sector. 

1520 Close

Those attending in person will be invited on an optional tour of Queen Ethelburgas.

Location

Online event access details will be provided by the event organiser

Contact Details

Contact Event Organiser