The school website has a difficult job of answering the parents’ questions, sharing important information about the school and presenting the school in a professional manner. However, the children who attend the school are often forgotten when creating a website for the school.
A website for a school should provide a glimpse of the world of the children that attend the school. For Websites for schools, visit https://www.fsedesign.co.uk/websites-for-schools/
Some ideas for these websites include showcasing artwork created by students in the school, highlighting the achievements of the school’s sports teams, sharing photos from school trips and even allowing students to showcase their own projects on the site.
Making children feel seen.
Children want to recognise themselves in the places they belong to. When a website regularly features student work, activities and achievements, it sends a simple message: what you do here matters.
While there is no requirement for schools to include a blog section on their websites, incorporating such a feature can help to increase the engagement of parents with the school’s community. Rather than creating a children’s entertainment site, the blog can be used to share updates from the school’s administrators regarding important issues related to the school. By striking a balance between sharing relevant information and showcasing the personality of the school, the blog can become an effective means of increasing the engagement of parents with the school.
Photography can also play a important role in capturing the spirit of a child’s educational experience. While a well-posed photograph of a group of students may appear professional, photographs of children engaging in various activities and hobbies can convey the value of those experiences for the students.
Also, there are opportunities for students to contribute to the school’s publication themselves. Older students could write articles about a school trip, interview a teacher, write a review of a school production or even create a piece about life at school.
One of the ways in which a website can feel more authentic is by allowing students to hear directly from those students. This approach allows for the students to feel a sense of ownership over the website, as well as a sense of contribution to that website.
The value of a website for prospective pupils is that it allows them to explore the school online. This can be especially valuable for children who are starting a new school. Starting a new school can be both exciting and daunting for children. By exploring the school’s website, children can gain a better understanding of the school and imagine themselves as a pupil within the school.
For parents, the school is assessed in terms of its Ofsted report, facilities and academic results. For children, however, the question is far simpler: Will I like it here?
