Marketing agency expands reach into the education sector with new contracts

A Derbyshire marketing agency has expanded its reach into the education sector by securing contracts to develop 30 new websites and provide digital assistance to two Midlands academy trusts.

Purpose Media, headquartered in South Normanton has been selected by the Embark Federation and the LEAD Academy Trust, who oversee a total of 44 primary and secondary schools across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

The project includes the creation of a central group website and 27 individual school websites, along with the provision of video and photographic content and ongoing support for LEAD, headquartered in Nottingham and managing 26 academies, with an additional one slated to join the network.

A new group website for Embark, based in Derby, will also be made and the firm will offer digital support for its 23 primary and secondary schools in Derbyshire.

The agency will also design a new website for William Rhodes Primary and Infant School in Chesterfield.

Tim Lenton, Purpose Media’s digital implementation and strategy director said: “Schools have traditionally used their websites as one of several different methods to keep in touch with parents and other stakeholders and it’s fair to say they haven’t been used to what we’d consider to be their full advantage. Our strategy will be to put them at the heart of each school’s marketing and communications activity by ensuring they have quality photographic and video content, are kept up to date with the latest policy documents and contain everything visitors need to be able to understand each school’s identity and its core values.”

Lucy Foster, head of marketing at LEAD Academy Trust, said: “We wanted to update our academy websites to improve the user experience and engagement for parents, prospective parents, prospective employees, students, governors and key stakeholders. Websites remain a key source of information but as well as functionality and compliance, they also need to reflect the personality of each academy while being recognised as part of the Trust.

“By working with Purpose Media, our academy websites will offer a more modern, engaging experience that can be measured and monitored to inform future improvements.”