Juniper Websites

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The Autumn Term is in full swing, and schools have been launching their new websites throughout September to mark the start of the academic year!

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From January 2025, independent schools will face major changes to their budgets as the UK government introduces VAT on school fees. The removal of tax breaks for private schools will affect tuition fees and charitable business rate relief and will potentially affect how schools manage their operations.  

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As the summer holidays come to an end, and while teachers, pupils, and parents have enjoyed their time off, our website development team has been hard at work behind the scenes. They’ve been busy creating beautiful websites in preparation for the new academic year, some of which we’ve selected to share with you in this blog.

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As school admissions season approaches, typically spanning from late October to January, schools face an important period for increasing student enrolment. With declining birth rates in the UK and increased competition, it's more important than ever to ensure your school's website is optimised and makes a positive and impactful first impression to attract prospective families and stand out in a crowded marketplace.  

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By October 2024, all schools are being asked to comply with the new WCAG 2.2 standards that apply to them. This updated accessibility standard ensures that UK Government sites, including school websites, can be used by everyone, including individuals with disabilities or specific accessibility needs.  

The UK government will conduct random school website spot-checks for WCAG 2.2 AA compliance starting October 2024, but schools will have a 12-week grace period to address any issues found.  

So, what does this mean for your school? 

We know that for schools, being compliant isn't just about ticking a box. It's about showing commitment to making your website accessible to all visitors, no matter their needs.  

The new requirements can be overwhelming, so to help schools, the Juniper Websites teams have done the hard work for you and uncovered what these new standards mean for education. Below, we have outlined the necessary steps you need to take and how Juniper can assist you in achieving compliance. 

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As Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) evolve and grow, establishing a strong and cohesive identity through effective branding becomes increasingly important. This not only helps MATs stand out from the crowd but also supports recruitment efforts for teachers, schools, and students alike.  

Perfecting your branding is one of the most important things you can do as a MAT, and it’s not just Juniper who thinks so.  

Marcus Shepherd, Education Director from E-ACT, one of the country’s largest MATs, suggested during a recent panel discussion hosted by Juniper that marketing and branding services for MATs could be the most important investment a MAT can make. 

Ryan Pummell, Head of Websites and Engagement at Juniper, agrees and, in this blog, will guide you through the process of rebranding your MAT. Ryan explains what branding involves and why it matters for MATs and offers practical steps to successfully navigate the rebranding road to success. 

Introduction

As the end of the school year approaches, schools are starting to wind down and are looking forward to a much-needed rest and recuperation period. But did you know that now is a great time for schools to consider launching a brand-new website in time for the start of the new academic year?  

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Engaging parents in their child's education is critical for academic success and overall development. When parents are actively involved, children are more likely to excel academically, exhibit positive behaviour, and develop better social skills.  

Adrian Burt, founder of Juniper’s leading parent engagement app MarvellousMe, understands the powerful role parents play in influencing their child’s academic outcomes. Here, he suggests six top strategies schools can implement to enhance parent engagement.