SHEFFIELD GIRLS’
The school topped the tables. Now its marketing does too.
Sheffield High School for Girls, also known as Sheffield Girls’, is a leading independent school in the north of England with pupils ranging from 4 to 18. It has a lot to offer current and prospective students, but their marketing was letting them down and not getting the message across clearly.
The brief
After going through a rebrand, Sheffield Girls’ had a new look and feel, but weren’t sure what to do with it. Their small marketing team was very busy, often spinning too many plates and struggling to focus on a consistent marketing approach. This meant they couldn’t inform parents of current students or advertise to potential new ones.
I was approached to help take their new look and feel and turn it into marketing material that could help promote the school throughout the city.
“We are always short on time and resources and Leanne understands the value we place on being able to brief quickly by email and adapt as we go through the design process, which although is less than ideal, is sometimes the way we need to work due to conflicting work deadlines.”
Rebecca Mills, Director of Marketing & Communications
Knowing the brand inside out
That was seven years ago, and I’m happy to say I’m still working with Sheffield Girls’ now. I’ve become a key part of their marketing operations, working with key stakeholders to uncover their key messaging and make it look beautiful across various materials.
Throughout that time, school Heads have changed, staff have moved on and the school’s requirements have varied. As their design partner, I’ve come to know the brand inside out, meaning I’ve been able to adapt as they do and keep things ticking over while new staff find their feet.
“Leanne understands our school and what we are about. She pays attention to our brand guidelines and understands our tone of voice. As such her materials are always pitched specifically for our known audience and parent personas.”
Rebecca Mills, Director of Marketing & Communications
Seven years later…
I don’t need seven years to get to know a client, but this time it definitely helped. I now understand Sheffield Girls’ inside and out, knowing their business, their audience and what they look for in a school. I’ve developed their brand from a rough look and feel into a strong, instantly identifiable persona that allows them to promote what they do to audiences old and new.
But above all that, I’ve saved them so much time. Instead of having to constantly seek new designers, manage print schedules, source new freelancers and concept new ideas, all while doing their existing jobs, they’ve just come to me and I’ve taken care of everything.
Their marketing has become more streamlined, their design needs have all been met, and their independent school now has a brand as strong as its legacy.
“Leanne is the perfect design partner. Communicative, supportive, flexible and with an eye for detail. She genuinely cares about our school and what we are trying to do and this shows in her work. She's also a really nice person, and we like working with nice people.”
Rebecca Mills, Director of Marketing & Communications