Are we possibly overlooking a revolution in school admissions right under our noses?
I’ve certainly contemplated it throughout my years working in education. It’s about time we addressed this area because it’s ripe for innovation.
But, it’s important to note that a new season of innovation has already begun – one that promises to streamline the admission process whilst ensuring that there still is that personal touch which parents like, in order to build that trust and develop those relationships.
Have you ever wondered how technology could reshape school admissions, making them more efficient, more productive and ensuring it an easy and effective customer journey for all involved?
Well, I’ll be covering that in this blog by discussing the ‘six aspects of efficiency’ that modern technology brings to the school admissions process.
Table of Contents
- 1: Customisable Application Forms: A Personal Touch
- 2: Reducing Human Error: Consistency is Key
- 3: Automation: Freeing Up Valuable Time
- 4: Streamlined Communications: Keeping Connections Strong
- 5: Admissions Events: Organised to Perfection
- 6: Recognising Duplicate Data and Streamlining Transitions
- Laying the Groundwork for Education Excellence
- Your Strategic Action Checklist
1: Customisable Application Forms: A Personal Touch
Let’s begin with a solid foundation – application forms. But not just any forms; we’re talking about fully customisable ones that can be tailored to the unique needs of each school.
With this approach, schools are able to capture the data that they require, ensuring the collection of precisely relevant data right from the start.
By ensuring that personalised data is collected on each individual student, schools can focus on making each individual student’s transition a positive one.
2: Reducing Human Error: Consistency is Key
We are all well aware of the potential pitfalls that come with human error, especially in the context of data collection.
However, when parents are provided with the option to select from a range of predefined fields that effortlessly synchronise with a school’s Management Information System (MIS), the margin for these errors is dramatically reduced.
As a result, the benefits are twofold:
- not only does it ensure the availability of consistent and reliable data, but
- it also significantly enhances the overall user experience
By streamlining the data collection process and minimising the chances of errors, this approach increases efficiency and provides accurate data, which is the dream for any Data Manager. This is of particular use when they are thinking about preparing data for the Census.
3: Automation: Freeing Up Valuable Time
Imagine a world where time-consuming tasks are effortlessly automated, freeing up valuable time and energy.
From gathering references to seamlessly uploading documents, these mundane chores are efficiently handled without the need for constant human intervention. This innovative approach allows human effort to be focused on areas that truly require the human touch, resulting in a smart and efficient allocation of resources.
Wouldn’t you agree that this transformative technology has the potential to revolutionise the daily lives of your staff and reduce overtime forms which staff are claiming through the holidays?
4: Streamlined Communications: Keeping Connections Strong
Effective communication between schools and parents is crucial for fostering a supportive educational environment.
By employing an integrated communications platform, schools can enhance their ability to reach out to parents and keep them informed about important updates and events. A platform that allows for the sending of tailored, bulk messages, whether they are scheduled or triggered by specific actions such as application submissions is an absolute ‘must-have’ for busy schools.
Ensuring that there are frequent touchpoints during the application, this promotes engagement and provides a much-valued personal touch, building the partnership between schools and parents in the best interest of the students.
5: Admissions Events: Organised to Perfection
Anyone who has ever attempted to organise school open days and new student transition/taster days understands the countless logistical hurdles involved. From coordinating schedules to tracking attendance, it can be an admin heavy task.
However, with a comprehensive system that collects data on attendees and tracks attendance, these events can run seamlessly, making life easier for everyone involved.
Moreover, the data and contact details collected through the system provides valuable insight and also the ability to market your school to interested parents/students.
With the aid of such a system, the burden of event organisation is significantly reduced, allowing educators and administrators to focus on providing the best possible experience for students and/or parents.
6: Recognising Duplicate Data and Streamlining Transitions
Data integrity is not only crucial but also a cornerstone of efficient administration. By implementing tools that proactively identify and eliminate duplicate data, valuable hours of work can be saved.
Additionally, when combined with the streamlining of transition tasks, schools can confidently and accurately place each pupil in a class that best aligns with their individual needs and make sure they have effective and personalised plans in place to support their new incoming students.
This approach enables the creation of a harmonious and balanced learning community, fostering an environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.
Laying the Groundwork for Education Excellence
The onset of systems like Admissions+ signals a transformation in school administration.
By harnessing these six aspects of efficiency, schools are not just saving on operational costs; they’re nurturing a conducive, welcoming environment from the first interaction a family has with them. What unfolds is a scenario where administrative staff are not bogged down by mundane tasks but are available and ready to contribute more meaningfully and students have the best possible start to their new educational experience.
In the grand scheme, technology’s role in education is only set to deepen. By leaning into this wave of change, schools position themselves at the forefront, not merely catching up with the times but defining new benchmarks for delivering unparalleled educational experiences.
Your Strategic Action Checklist
In light of the transformative strategies discussed, schools are encouraged to consider the following actions:
- Audit Your Current Systems: Examine your existing processes with a critical eye. Are they truly serving your school (and students) or merely adding to the clutter?
- Embrace Customisation: Opt for solutions that can be tailored perfectly to your school’s unique demands. Does your current system reflect the identity and necessities of your school, or is it a case of one size fits no one?
- Minimise Human Error: Deploy predefined fields in data collection that integrate with your MIS. Are you taking steps to safeguard against error, thus ensuring that Census data is correct and your funding is accurate?
- Automate for Efficiency: Identify tasks ripe for automation. By reflecting on the mundane tasks performed daily, can you reallocate human effort to where it truly matters?
- Strengthen Communication: Integrate a robust platform capable of sending tailored messages to parents. Does your current methodology for communication truly keep everyone updated and engaged?
- Optimise Scheduling and Attendance: Implement advanced systems for event management. Are you leveraging technology to simplify the booking and organising of meetings and events?
- Ensure Data Integrity: Use tools that recognise and eliminate duplicate records. How much time is wasted cleaning up rogue data in your MIS?
- Reflect and Implement: Having considered these steps, create an action plan to integrate these systems. Are you ready to lead your school into an era of unrivalled educational experiences?
The path to educational excellence is paved with intentional action and informed decision-making. By embracing these key actions, schools can forge a future where operational efficiency and outstanding student outcomes are inextricably linked.