How To Increase Student Enrolment: 7 Effective Methods

Want to boost your school’s admission numbers in 2025?

You need to take a multi-faceted approach, utilising various digital and in-person methods that work synergistically to encourage more students through your doors.

And we have seven proven ways to do just that:

Create a User-Friendly School Website

What’s the first thing prospective students and parents are likely to see? Your school website! And since you never get a second chance to make a first impression, you need this to be informative and easy to use.

User-friendly web design means it’s simple to navigate and boasts a clean, intuitive layout. Both prospective parents and students should be able to find critical information (admission details, contact information, and curriculum) in as few clicks as possible.

Beyond that, it should be optimised for desktop and mobile browsing. Most people access websites from mobile devices. Thus, it needs to be fully responsive to guarantee a seamless experience and prevent missed opportunities.

Focus on Digital Marketing

A user-friendly site won’t necessarily drive traffic. To do that, you need a strong digital marketing strategy that consists of these major components:

SEO

Search Engine Optimisation is a long-term marketing technique that can considerably boost your school’s ranking in search engine results, helping you receive more organic enquiries.

The most powerful techniques include:

Keyword research — Identify terms prospective parents/students are searching for and make sure they appear on your website, particularly in headings.
Regularly publish content — Assuming you publish only high-quality content that addresses the concerns/interests of prospective families, this will drastically improve your online visibility.
Local SEO — Claim and update your Google My Business profile and ensure your establishment’s name, address, and phone number are consistent across all web locations.

PPC

PPC, or pay-per-click, is a digital marketing strategy that involves paying a fee each time your ad is clicked. While this may seem daunting, you only pay when somebody clicks. Therefore, those who find your website are more likely to be truly interested in attending your school.

Social Media Marketing

Social media is excellent for reaching wider audiences and engaging potential students. But to maximise engagement, go beyond basic posts (e.g., use polls, Q&As, and live videos).

Email Marketing

When done correctly, email is still one of the most effective marketing methods. It allows you to communicate directly with potential students and parents, nurture leads, and help them through the decision-making process.

Use automated campaigns to simplify email marketing. This “set it and forget it” process nurtures leads over time without manual input. For instance, once someone downloads your prospectus, they could receive a few emails that include testimonials, curriculum information, and tour invitations.

Feature Parent and Student Testimonials

Post parent and student testimonials on your website and social media pages so prospective families can get an accurate depiction of your school, its ethos, and positive news. Such success stories are not only relatable but motivational.

Offer Virtual Tours and Open Days

Events are a major component of your school’s strategy, giving prospective families the chance to experience everything you have to offer firsthand. Thanks to technological advancements, there are many ways you can provide this:

Virtual Events In-Person Events

Virtual open days have become popular in recent years, giving flexibility to those who can’t physically attend. Make sure you use the opportunity to showcase all the facilities, introduce staff members, and offer a live Q&A section. Nothing beats taster days, where potential students spend a day in the classroom.

Virtual Tours

Virtual tours allow you to show off all your school’s facilities in an engaging way. The best ones use a drone to “walk” prospective students through classrooms, cafeterias, playgrounds, and more. In-person tours and open days are a tried-and-tested way of acquiring students.

Host webinars on topics that matter to parents (e.g., preparing your child for secondary school). They position your establishment as a thought leader.

Improve Your School’s Reputation with Strong Reviews

Encourage past and present students, staff, and community members to leave reviews on Google and other platforms. This boosts your reputation and provides social proof of your establishment’s high rating.

Build a Strong Brand

Building a strong brand is essential for helping future students distinguish your establishment from other educational institutions. Good brands have a clear identity which students and parents can connect to. Think about what your school stands for and draw on impressions of current students to solidify your brand promise. That way, you can communicate it clearly to prospective families.

Partner with Local Businesses and Community Groups

Collaborating with your community’s businesses and groups spreads awareness of your school, increases visibility, and crafts additional avenues for parent and student enquiries.

Some of the most effective for schools include:

Educational workshops — Offer workshops or seminars alongside local organisations that focus on child development, health and wellness, or school preparation to position your establishment as your area’s leader in education.
Sponsorships — Demonstrate your commitment to the community and raise your school’s visibility by sponsoring local events, initiatives, and sports teams.
Partnerships — You can partner with locally run businesses to offer your school’s attendees special offers or discounts. In return, they can feature your school in marketing materials.

Naturally, these aren’t the only collaborative opportunities available. Think outside the box and try internship opportunities, resource sharing, and even co-branded events to draw local students looking for connected yet educational experiences.