Archive for May, 2010

Will increasing numbers of academies lead to rise in demand for effective school marketing?

Today’s news has covered – in considerable detail – Education Secretary Michael Gove’s letter to all state schools offering them the chance to opt-out of Local Authority control and adopt academy status, essentially offering greater freedom of control to Heads and school leaders over budget, spending and curriculum.  

What impact might this have on the way state schools communicate and position their brands, ethos and values to prospective parents and pupils? mtm’s Schools Marketing Consultant Joe Faulkner explores the issue. Read more

Grammar schools attract 25% more pupils than in 1997

from mailonline, 15th May 2010

The Daily Mail has reported that since 1997, under the labour government – a government opposed to academic selection – the number of children attending grammar schools has increased by 25%. The article reports that in this period “while no new grammars have been built, the country’s 164 selective schools have taken on new classrooms to accommodate extra pupils”.

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mtm announces survey of how parents pay independent school fees

mtmconsulting has announced that it will repeat and extend research undertaken in 2007 into how parents afford and pay for their children’s independent education. Read more

International independent school numbers rise, curbing drop in domestic figures

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) last week published its 2010 Annual Census, which clearly showed that the effects of the recession are being felt among UK independent schools. The census also shows an average increase in school fees of 4%, labelled as “the smallest annual increase since 1994″, though still amounting to an average increase in fees of almost £500 per year for parents. A significant rise in international pupils has provided positive news. Read more