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SOCI AL MED I A
“Social media does a wonderful job of keeping parents connected with the life of their child’s school in a way that just wasn’t possible a decade ago”
in real time. Facebook and Twitter are probably the best-used channels but you’ll also find schools on Instagram and YouTube. It certainly keeps schools busy. Keeping social media ticking over is often the province of dedicated marketeers and can be virtually a 24/7 operation. Used effectively, it reassures existing families and gives others who are thinking about sending their children there an in-depth understanding of what life at school is like, from a pupil’s-eye perspective on lessons to insights into schools’ charitable work. Social media can convey details of school life in a way that says worlds about a school’s character and ethos, combining a mix of the factual and the pleasantly quirky. Recent posts at one school have ranged from a celebration of a gifted student’s academic achievements to pupils’ reactions to a surprise meteorite shower filmed to look as if it had taken place in the grounds, making for a memorable lesson on the topic. For parents working long hours, social media does a wonderful job of keeping them connected with the life of their child’s school in a way that just wasn’t possible a decade ago. There’s nothing like being able to take five minutes out before a meeting to see what’s going on, from reports on school trips and concert rehearsals to clocking the latest guidance in exam revision (something of a preoccupation for many families at this time of year). Schools’ digital presence isn’t just a godsend for current parents but an increasingly important part of their interaction with prospective parents.
SPRING/SUMMER 2020
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