Grebot Donnelly Associates - The Leading Education PR & Marketing Specialists

This was the winning quote chosen by the Grebot Donnelly team in response to our email campaign “Working with Grebot Donnelly has made a difference because....”

“We have been delighted at the many responses we received,” said Isabella Donnelly, Director.  “The team here at Grebot Donnelly are committed to providing the very best support to all our clients and it has been truly uplifting to read some of the feedback.”

The team considered all the responses. “In the end there has to be just one winner and we felt that David captured the essence of Grebot Donnelly and what we bring to all our projects,” said Isabella.  “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part.”

Why on earth would I choose to put my child through a system that so consistently and publicly denigrates the staff and the 93% or so of the nation’s families educated within it.

Nevertheless, the article was right in its judgement that so many schools do branding badly, due in no small part to a fundamental lack of understanding about what it is.  In brief, brand is a reputation – don’t be under any illusion, every school has a reputation.  Unfortunately, in too many cases that reputation (and brand) is based on its history and managed by the school gate network.

Brand is a set of values and a way to differentiate one school from another. When parents choose a school, they are making a decision about their children’s future and buying into the school’s promise, or its brand. So, it is absolutely within the school’s grasp to develop a brand that parents and students want to buy into or hang on to one that demoralises everyone connected with it.

So, yes, the brand is more than a fuzzy logo created by a Year 10 work experience student and a gag-inducing strapline; it is about every aspect of the way a school presents itself and establishing and maintaining it is a longer term commitment.

Successful brands, whether in education or any other sector, are built on experience, perception and reputation and an approach which is proactive and ongoing. So, those schools that understand this and grasp the mettle, thrive, improve and develop, while those that passively accept historic perceptions and continue to disparage their communities rather than celebrate them, will continue to see themselves as victims of an unfair system.

Link to the article here.

Macia Grebot reports on the importance of branding. Read the article here.

During the coming months, GDA will work with the Sponsors and the Project Management Team to ensure that staff, students, families and the local community are included in the full consultation and engagement process. This will include keeping the local communities up to date and involved with the proposals via websites, newsletters and consultation materials as well as a unique stakeholder day for the proposed Woodard Academy for Kent.

Isabella Donnelly, GDA Director responsible for the Woodard Academies account said: “To succeed Academies need to ensure that they involve their communities and build relationships from the outset to win their confidence. The consultation period offers the opportunity to for a genuine dialogue which can be developed and built upon should the Academy proposal be successful.”

The training was tailored specifically to the Academy’s needs and equipped staff with up to date skills and tools to market their Academy with confidence. Frontline staff also took part in a Front of House Training session which equipped them with the skills to market their Academy and deal confidently with ‘customers’ in any situation.

Comments from delegates included:

"A very good session, much more relevant than previous training."

"Made me aware of how important marketing is and my role in it!"

"Just wanted to say that both sessions were absolutely brilliant and have given us a lot of food for thought. Literally everyone who took part at both sessions said what an excellent, positive and informative start to the new term which has given us loads of things to build on."

The 2005 White Paper 14-19 Education and Skills has had a significant impact on post-16 providers, leading to collaboration and partnerships in order to deliver a balance of provision across a local authority with clear learning pathways for students.

The purpose of this training session is to equip Academy staff with the best tools and skills to engage this audience in exciting new ways and stay ahead of the curve when promoting to the next generation.

For further details on the range of Marketing and PR training that Grebot Donnelly offers please view here.

The training programme will address the particular needs of academies and academies designate, and provide a range of strategies and advice to help them communicate with a wider audience. It explores how academies manage the media, develop key messages and implement the most effective internal and external communication systems, communicate academy and student achievements, and manage their reputation.

For further information, please visit the SSAT website by clicking here.

Over the next few months, the consultancy will work closely with Sponsors and Project Managers to develop and implement a stakeholder engagement programme to gather the views of staff, students, parents and the community.

GDA provides clients with a unique service based on extensive understanding and experience of the education sector. It has a proven track record, providing solutions that are researched and considered, delivering outstanding results and measurable outcomes. 

For a period of 3 months, GDA will develop and implement a stakeholder engagement programme to gather the views of staff, students, parents and the community on the proposed Drapers Academy. The agency is also acting as a press office for the project and is keeping the community up to date via a website and newsletter.

Macia Grebot, GDA Director responsible for the proposed Drapers Academy account said:
“To succeed Academies need to ensure that they involve their communities and build relationships from the outset to win their confidence. A schedule of open meetings for parents, students, staff and the community will be the main element of our work along with an awareness raising campaign via local media.  The consultation period offers the opportunity to for a genuine dialogue which can be developed and built upon should the Academy proposal be successful”.

For a period of 3 months starting in December, GDA will develop and implement a stakeholder engagement programme to gather the views of staff, students, parents and the community. The themed sessions will build on developing the new identity and branding for the Academy, including consultation on the new logo, uniform and colours for the proposed Academy.

Grebot Donnelly will also be producing regular newsletters, website design and content.
Isabella Donnelly, GDA Director responsible for the account said: “The need to involve the community in the process is fundamental to the future success of any Academy. Focus groups for parents, students, staff and local residents will be the main element of our work along with developing a brand and identity that underpins the vision, ethos and values of the proposed Academy.”