In today's digital age, social media has become an indispensable tool for primary schools to connect with parents, teachers, and the wider community. By leveraging creative and engaging content, schools can showcase their unique qualities, celebrate student achievements, and foster a sense of community. But what should you actually post on social media?
This article explores a variety of social media content ideas tailored specifically for primary schools, helping you to effectively communicate your values, events, and educational offerings. From highlighting academic excellence to sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of school life, these strategies will ensure your school's social media presence is both vibrant and impactful.
Highlight Unique Selling Points of the School
- Academic Excellence: Share posts about student achievements, awards, and academic programs.
- Extracurricular Activities: Showcase unique clubs, sports teams, and extracurricular offerings.
- Special Programs: Highlight any special programs (e.g., STEM initiatives, arts programs, language immersion).
Virtual Open Days & Tours
- Live Virtual Tours: Host live virtual tours of the school facilities, classrooms, and outdoor spaces. Allow parents to ask questions in real-time.
- Pre-recorded Tour Videos: Create engaging videos of the school grounds, classrooms, and key facilities. Include a narration explaining the benefits of each area.
- Meet the Teachers Series: Create short videos introducing key staff members, explaining their roles, and sharing what makes their classrooms unique.
Student and Parent Testimonials
- Video Testimonials: Record parents and students talking about their positive experiences at the school. Share these on social media and the school’s website.
- Parent Stories: Share stories from parents about why they chose the school and how it has impacted their child’s development and happiness. (A good time to ask for this is during year 6 leavers week or after a school performance when parents are feeling their most positive.)
Showcase School Values and Community Involvement
- Value-Based Content: Post about the school’s core values (e.g., respect, community, excellence) and how they are integrated into daily activities.
- Community Events: Share the school’s involvement in community service projects, partnerships, and local events.
- Student Projects: Highlight student projects that connect with broader social or environmental issues, showing the school’s commitment to developing socially responsible students.
Engaging Visual Content
- Photo Stories: Post series of images capturing a day in the life of a student at the school.
- Event Highlights: Share vibrant photo albums and videos from school events, such as sports days, concerts, and fairs.
- Infographics: Create infographics about school performance statistics, curriculum highlights, and extracurricular achievements.
Behind-the-Scenes Content
- Teacher Spotlights: Feature teachers and staff sharing their teaching philosophies, favourite moments, and what they love about the school.
- Classroom Activities: Show students engaging in innovative lessons or creative projects to give parents a feel for the learning environment.
Engage Parents with Educational Resources
- Parent Workshops: Host live or recorded workshops on topics like “Preparing Your Child for Secondary School” or “Supporting Learning at Home.”
- How-To Videos: Create videos showing how to use school platforms like ParentPay or Google Classroom. This can build trust and demonstrate the school’s support for parents.
Showcase School Culture and Events
- Cultural Celebrations: Highlight cultural events and how the school celebrates diversity.
- Student Art & Projects: Display student artwork, science projects, and creative work to show the nurturing of talents and creativity.
- Sports & Competitions: Share updates and results from school sports teams and competitions, featuring the team spirit and support.
Focus on Early Education Programs
- Nursery/Reception Focus: Create content specifically for parents of younger children, highlighting the nurturing environment and readiness programs.
- Parent and Toddler Events: Promote open mornings or events for parents and toddlers to experience the school atmosphere.
Promote Open Days and Application Deadlines
- Countdowns and Reminders: Use social media to create a buzz around open days and application deadlines with countdowns and reminders.
- Event Promotions: Create eye-catching visuals and videos promoting open days, featuring testimonials and highlights from previous events. - Ask attendees to write reviews of the open evening and share the best ones on your socials.
Leverage User-Generated Content
- Student Takeovers: Allow students to take over the school’s Instagram/Facebook Stories for a day to share their perspective on school life.
In summary, this article provides a comprehensive guide for primary schools on how to effectively utilise social media to engage with their community. It covers a range of strategies, from highlighting academic and extracurricular achievements to showcasing school values and community involvement. The article also suggests creating engaging visual content, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses, and providing educational resources for parents.
Additionally, it emphasises the importance of promoting open days and leveraging user-generated content to create a vibrant and impactful social media presence. By implementing these ideas, schools can enhance their communication and foster a stronger connection with parents, students, and the wider community. To learn more about how primary schools can use social media, please download our Social Media Guide.
Image Source: Canva
