The following are tried and tested methods discussed at a recent training session arranged by the Diocese of Westminster Education Service.

Warning signs could be falling rolls every year, and not being the first choice for increasing numbers of pupils.  

Potential solutions:

• make contact with local pre-schools and nurseries, ensure school’s marketing materials displayed and available 

• invite pre-schools and nurseries to use school’s resources and attend taster days

• arrange reading sessions for pre-school and nursery children with school’s Year 6 pupils

• Record in database contact details not just of every prospective parent emailing the school to enquire about places, but also those phoning up or visiting reception

• use database to invite prospective parents to open days, at which school choir sing

• write to thank prospective parents for attending open day, invite them to ask questions

• email Christmas messages to prospective parents – ie ensure regular contact

• plan a school tour route for prospective parents, choose and carefully train pupils in how to be guides

• without clear instructions pupils may spend the tour focusing on their favourite or least favourite parts of the school, which may not align with what a prospective parent needs to see 

• headteachers could attend Mass in nearby churches and introduce the school, and be available to talk to prospective parents at the end

• spread these responsibilities across several staff members, make sure everyone aware of efforts to reverse falling school rolls

• don’t leave it all up to one already very busy staff member

The training was delivered by education marketing consultancy Grebot Donnelly Associates - for a free one-to-one meeting contact Aimee Monteith at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For further advice on increasing pupil numbers for schools, contact your diocesan education service or schools commission