Blog by Jane Davies, Research Analyst
We are all aware that the British population is expanding and the fact that we have an increasing population should be good news for all education providers, including the independent education sector. There will indeed be more children but factoring this in to planning your future school strategy should be done with care.
Blog by Nicky Adams, Schools’ Marketing Consultant
It’s a new year and schools’ marketers’ thoughts turn to the Open Day season, and how to encourage potential students through your doors and onto your roll for the coming September.
This is your chance to really sell your school – the pay-off for the past year’s promotional activity (and budget) that has made sure your school’s name is familiar to those families you are most keen to attract. Now is the time to convert that raised awareness into full classrooms, and the open day is a vital step that warrants careful planning.
The third edition of mtmconsulting’s groundbreaking Sector Report is available to order now.
mtmconsulting’s UK Education Sector; Forecasts, Challenges & Opportunities 2012 – 2020 is the authoritative independent commentary for the charitable, for profit and state-funded independent education markets.
Produced by mtmconsulting biannually, this is an objective review of these fast-changing sectors. It includes statistics, trends, forecasts and scenarios, providing a valuable information source for decision makers or those wishing to enter the sectors.
Following on from another successful conference at the IOD, we have produced a full report of the day. This year’s conference was entitled ‘Practical Strategies for a New Education Market’.
You can read a summary of Sir Ewan Harper’s remarkable account of how the United Learning Trust was transformed from a small and struggling independent school group into a thriving organisation, with more than double the pupil numbers, and went on to become the nation’s biggest sponsor of Academies.
Other topics covered include the opportunities and pitfalls of extending your school age range, a summary of the mtmconsulting UK Education Sector Report 2012 – 2020: Forecasts, Challenges and Opportunities and Tom Packer’s account of his white knuckle ride through the process of opening the West London Free School.
Tuesday 6th March 2012, The Cavalry and Guards Club, 127 Piccadilly, London W1
The Proprietorial Schools’ Forum has proved highly popular since its inception in September 2008. The Forum was established in response to the demand for an event at which private owners of schools could meet to discuss exclusively the issues which concern them. The 2011-12 programme has been put together with the same two aims that have always underpinned the Forum: to offer stimulating presentations on relevant topics and to respond to feedback from previous events.
March’s event investigates the importance of accessibility to your school, focusing on how to set up and run your own bus service, and a guide to formulating a successful marketing strategy.
mtmconsulting’s Gavin Humphries, Head of Research takes a look at the latest trends in boarding and how to boost your numbers.
The number of boarders in independent schools has fallen dramatically over the last 30 years, from 120,000 in 1981 to just under 72,000 in 2011. As a proportion of all independent school pupils this represents a fall from 22% to 12%. One of the causes of this long-term decline was the fact that robust boarding regimes (especially for boys) came to be regarded with both distaste and suspicion by many mothers. Negative media comment, particularly during the 1980s, did not help and this has continued, on and off, since (such as the references to ‘Boarding School Syndrome’ during the summer of 2011).
Sector Report trending article by Dick Davison, Head of Schools Strategy
Ahead of the launch of our 2012 Education Sector Report in September (available to order now with advance discount rate), over the Summer we will be looking at several of the key trends the report will explore. In this second trending article, our Head of Strategy, Dick Davison looks at a flight to quality in education in the wake of recession. Read more
Sector Report trending article by Melanie Tucker, Principal
Ahead of the launch of our 2012 Education Sector Report in September (available to order now with advance discount rate), over the Summer we will be looking at five of the key trends the report will explore. In this first trending article, our Principal Melanie Tucker looks at Academies, Free Schools and the impact on the independent sector.
Blog by Melanie Tucker, Principal
It looks as if the spirit of the education entrepreneur was alive and well at the Sunday Times Festival of Education at Wellington College last weekend. Speakers ranged from big names in education to some well known personalities including Sir Bob Geldof, who called it ‘Glastonbury for intellectuals.’ Without the mud we hope! Read more
