Content ideas for schools during lockdown

As the lockdown begins to ease across the UK, the majority of students are still learning from home and schools are very different places compared to how they were at the start of the year.

It can be a challenging time for those working in school marketing, getting your messaging right and showing your compassion during these tricky times is the priority.

As parents continue to support their child's learning at home, and teachers continue to adapt their lessons for online delivery, school marketers can help to share positive stories from across their communities to maintain meaningful conversations with parents and provide help and support.

This is a good time to consider implementing an inbound marketing methodology to provide value at every stage of your admissions journey and beyond.

Here are some content ideas for school marketers during lockdown:

Share some of your remote learning success stories - from photos of student artwork, to creative writing extracts and virtual coaching sessions. Encourage your parents and teachers to send you examples of the fantastic things your students are achieving from home. Parents will be delighted to see that the children are still benefitting from virtual teaching, and prospects can see the positive impact that you have continued to make during these difficult times.
Regular video messages from your Senior Leaders - by sharing informal, conversational videos of your school leaders talking about the support on offer from your school, you can reassure your parents and prospects as the lockdown continues to ease. Whilst many schools are providing regular email updates, videos offer a more genuine, human approach at a time when people are worried about the future.
Blog about other trending topics - with so much content about the pandemic, it is a good idea to provide updates on other trending topics to engage your school community. From eye-catching graphics to video guides, use the expertise of your teaching staff to provide content that stands out from the crowds.
Don't be afraid to show your audience that you are open for business - if you are accepting applications for 2021, don't be afraid to tell people. When the pandemic is over, schools still need to have places filled and now is the time to put the wheels in motion to allow that to happen. Share information around your admissions process, and use this time wisely by updating your website FAQs and literature ahead of the summer.
If you are struggling for new content, use this time to re-optimise the content you already have. Refreshing your content and optimising it for search engines will prevent your content getting lost, it will also drive more traffic to your site.
Share the hobbies your students are enjoying from home - school is not just about the classroom and many of your students will be finding creative new ways to take part in their co-curricular opportunities remotely. Encourage your parent community to share photos and videos of your students enjoying hobbies and co-curricular activities from home - it may just inspire someone!
Give your students the chance to show their leadership skills - ask your Head Boy or Girl, Prefects or Sports Captains to record video messages for their peers that can be used to lead and inspire them during these uncertain times. Not only will this support your current students and parents, it will show your prospects the confidence that your student leaders have gained in their roles at your school.

Share your lockdown content success stories with us! We love to see how schools are adapting and providing value to their communities during these uncertain times.