Whole Brand Campaigns 

One of the best tools of marketing we have is the campaigns that we get behind as a whole brand. We are ambassadors for the Anti-Bullying Alliance and every year we run free sessions in schools during Anti-Bullying Week. Lots of work is done behind the scenes by HQ for this, artwork and lesson plans are provided. But you have to get on board completely to get the most out of it. Share the posts everywhere you can, ask people to tag teacher friends and make sure you put time aside to do the tasters when schools request them (we know everyone is really busy, and even if you need to go into the few weeks after to fit them in, do it). Also reply as promptly as you can when schools send a request, this should take a maximum of 48 hours as this affects everyone in the brand. We literally have hundreds of schools actively contacting us to book these. These are all potential customers. Many of our franchisees have got bookings off the back of Anti-Bullying Week, or they actually get asked to do extra paid sessions in the week.

Childrens Mental Health Week, Childrens Activities Week and School Sports Week are other awareness weeks.

Linked In

Due to the nature of Linked In as the ‘professional’ social media platform, it is really useful to gear your account to schools. Head teachers and other members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) are likely to have accounts and may see what you do. Use the searches to look for people who work in the schools in your area and request them.  Remember its important to keep your page active with what your readers will want to engage with.

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc. 

Make sure your social media pages reflect the fact that you offer school sessions as well by posting about it regularly. Post pictures of you outside the school, or the hall set up or anything like that about how excited you are to work in X School. If you haven’t had a school booking yet, you can still post, share other franchisees posts or use the artwork on Dropbox.

Uniform and Junior logo

Please where the appropriate uniform to market your school classes and social media too.  The use of the correct logos on photos is really important.  Wearing the correct branded t-shirts when teaching goes a long way!

School Sports Partnerships

Use google to find out your local partnerships.  Bare in mind these can come under all kinds of names but they are groups which were set up in 2000, the partnerships are designed to increase sports and physical education opportunities for school children.  There are 450 partnership in England, involving every primary, secondary and special school, as well as dedicated sports college, in the state sector.  Each partnership is co-ordinated by a full time manager at a “hub school” who works with dedicated organisers at secondary and primary schools in their area to encourage increased participation.

Mental Health Champions

Again can come under all kinds of names its another googling point.  But in some areas of the country they are ran by Local Authority’s or schools themselves.  You could even look to get some of your own champions in schools.  Attend the meetings where you can as great opportunity to speak to some teachers.

Information Packs

Available to order they are a great tool to give to schools so the can have all the information to hand.  As discussed, getting your face known, getting out there and giving out the packs is really good.

Use your community classes 

If you are running Junior / teen community classes, use it to your advantage. Could those children take leaflets in to school for you? If you do something like a yoga bear that the children take home, send them home with a school leaflet to take in. Always check if parents in your younger classes have any contacts within local schools, or are actually teachers themselves!