HubGem Blog

Streamlining School Admissions: Leveraging HubSpot and iSAMS Integration

Written by Laura Mackay | Aug 4, 2025 5:27:43 PM

At our recent HubGem webinar, we were joined by dozens of school teams to explore one big idea: how to streamline your admissions journey using HubSpot and iSAMS.

If your school is still juggling spreadsheets, relying on manual follow-ups, or struggling to connect marketing and admissions data—you’re not alone. But there is a smarter way.

This article recaps the key takeaways from the session, including how the HubSpot + iSAMS integration is helping schools work more efficiently, align teams, and deliver a better experience for families.

The Challenges Schools Face

Across hundreds of school conversations, the same frustrations keep surfacing:

  • Disconnected data across multiple systems

  • Siloed teams with limited visibility between marketing and admissions

  • Time-consuming manual admin that eats into valuable time

  • Missed opportunities to engage prospective families early and consistently

All of these challenges lead to a fractured admissions journey- making it harder to nurture families, report on what’s working, and meet your enrolment goals.


 

Why HubSpot?

HubSpot is an all-in-one CRM that gives your marketing and admissions teams a central place to manage every stage of the journey—from enquiry to enrolment.

For marketing teams:

  • Create branded enquiry forms and landing pages

  • Build segmented email nurture campaigns

  • Track campaign and channel performance

  • Use automation to deliver timely, personalised communications

For admissions teams:

  • Manage enquiries and applications in a visual pipeline

  • Automate reminders and follow-ups

  • Schedule interviews and visits in one click

  • Report on conversion rates, enquiry sources, and more

It’s not just about saving time - it’s about delivering a more joined-up, data-driven experience for your families.

The iSAMS Integration: Solving a Critical Challenge

We built the first education-specific HubSpot–iSAMS sync because schools needed a better way to connect their systems.

Before, teams using HubSpot had to manually re-enter data into iSAMS when a student enrolled. It was time-consuming, prone to error, and created a bottleneck at a critical stage.

So we partnered with our trusted development team Cursor to design a one-way integration that works the way schools actually work.

🎯 What it delivers:

  • Triggered at enrolment – sync starts once a family accepts a place

  • Reliable and seamless – no disruption to your existing workflows

  • Keeps marketing and admissions in HubSpot – leading to better reporting and alignment

  • Syncs key student and parent data into iSAMS automatically

It’s a simple, elegant solution that reduces admin, improves data accuracy, and gives families a smoother experience.

Real School Examples

Warwick Schools Foundation

Before: disconnected systems, spreadsheets, and limited reporting.
After: a fully streamlined CRM with clear data visibility across schools, shared access for marketing and admissions, and a seamless sync to iSAMS once a place is accepted.

"I don't think we would have successfully onboarded HubSpot without them and they made it very easy for us - walking us through each step and working through thorny issues to find solutions "- Kara Griffiths, Head of Marketing & Admissions

The Alice Smith School, Kuala Lumpur

This international school uses HubSpot to manage everything from initial contact to enrolment. Once an offer is accepted, their data is passed directly into iSAMS—saving time and improving data hygiene.

“We now have more control, better visibility, and a far more efficient process.”
– Andrea Grassby, Chief Marketing Office

How HubGem Can Help

Whether you’re new to HubSpot or looking to optimise what you already have, we offer:

  • Onboarding Services – Full Works, Starter, or Bespoke packages

  • iSAMS Integration – Built in partnership with Cursor

  • Custom Integrations - Including WhatsApp, SMS, and event tools

  • Marketing & Admissions Consultancy – Strategy, implementation, and training

  • Ongoing Support – For campaigns, reports, adoption and more

Other Support You Might Need

  • Marketing Strategy Consultancy - Align personas, content, and campaigns with best practice. Learn how our Marketing Strategy Consultancy can support your school’s marketing objectives. More info here.

  • AI Masterclass - Make the most of HubSpot’s AI tools and automation. See how our AI Masterclass can equip your school for the future of marketing and admissions. More information  here. 

  • Portal Audits - Clean up your HubSpot setup for better results. Enquire about our portal audits by contacting hello@hubgem.co.uk 

  • Training and Resources Add on- Get new staff up to speed quickly and confidently. Discover how our Training and Resources Add on service can boost confidence, adoption, and impact across your school. Check out more here

What’s Next?

If you’re ready to explore what smarter admissions could look like at your school, we’ve got two quick ways to get started:

📞  Book a complimentary 30-minute exploratory call with our team

Final Thought

“When schools bring their admissions and marketing processes into one connected system, the impact is huge—less admin, better data, and a more personalised journey for every family.” The HubGem Team