Welcome to the CMN…

The achievement highlights the exceptional work and dedication of the ESOL Team, who have consistently delivered high-quality education and support to their students.

Waltham Forest College has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted following its most recent inspection and has distinguished itself as the only GFE (General Further Education College) in London, and one of only 15 GFE Colleges across the country to achieve the prestigious ‘Outstanding’ rating.

The ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) department at Waltham Forest College, is thrilled to announce its significant contribution to the College’s Outstanding Ofsted grade earlier this year. Every year, around 200 young people and over 1,000 adults enrol in ESOL courses at Waltham Forest College. The department has been successfully delivering Ascentis ESOL Skills for Life qualifications for several years, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to educational excellence.

Leaders and managers within the ESOL Department work closely with external partners to provide a flexible, well-sequenced curriculum. This approach meets the needs of a diverse and growing learner base, including refugees and asylum seekers from the local community. Utilising a range of effective teaching strategies, learners develop essential language skills for daily life, further study, and future employment. Additionally, they have opportunities to explore personal interests and social interactions, enriching their overall educational experience.

The recent Ofsted report praised the ESOL Department’s impactful work, including the following commendations:

• Meeting Community Needs: “Leaders are highly effective at making sure that the courses they offer meet the needs of the growing number of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in their local borough. For example, leaders offer courses that are suitable for refugees and asylum seekers. They have redesigned the employability and ESOL programmes to ensure learners develop the English skills and professional behaviours they need to work in high-demand sectors such as childcare.”

• Preparation for Next Steps: “Adult learners are prepared exceptionally well for their next steps. Leaders provide a wide range of highly beneficial additional qualifications to teach learners new knowledge, skills and behaviours to help with their day-to-day lives. For example, learners studying English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) complete a short course to develop their understanding of citizenship and employability.”

• Impressive Tutorial Curriculum: “Leaders and managers have designed a very impressive tutorial curriculum for learners and apprentices, which is taught extremely well by tutors. This provides learners and apprentices with an experience at the College which extends considerably beyond the main subjects they study. For example, on ESOL courses, lecturers manage discussions with adult learners on different points of view regarding emotive topics such as immigration and conflict in war zones. Learners discuss with sensitivity and maturity values such as tolerance and respecting each other’s cultures.”

These accolades from Ofsted not only recognise the outstanding efforts of the ESOL Team, but also affirm Waltham Forest College’s commitment to providing inclusive, high-quality education that equips learners with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in their communities and beyond.

For more information about our ESOL courses, or to apply, visit the College website www.waltham.ac.uk.

Harrow College have partnered with Wealdstone FC who will operate our Football Academy, based at the College’s Harrow on the Hill Campus.

The Wealdstone FC Academy – Harrow College Campus – will initially offer football and education opportunities for 16 to 18 year-olds wishing to progress within both sports and education.

Cameron Mawer, Head of Player Development at Wealdstone FC said: “The partnership with Harrow College is hugely significant for the football club. Both the location and the facilities available are fantastic, and it also significantly increases the range of educational courses we can offer. Harrow College shares our vision of creating an exciting environment for young adults to progress within both sport and education, surrounded by first class facilities and resources.

“Wealdstone FC have developed a realistic pathway from youth football into the first team, with the aim of providing Matt Taylor and the management team with a pipeline of homegrown talent that can have an impact in the National League and above. As well as supporting the development of young players who are striving to progress their football careers, we enable them to achieve skills, experience and qualifications that will help them progress into other careers”. ?

Clive Hodge, Principal at Harrow College said: “We are excited to be working with Wealdstone FC and offering our students the opportunity to develop their skills and further ignite their passion for football, equipping them for a career in the sports industry. Through this partnership, Harrow College students will combine their qualification with top-class training and access to amazing facilities enabling them to take their footballing career to the next level.” ?

Danny Kindell, Wealdstone FC Director, said “In what is the 125th Anniversary of the football club it means an awful lot that after so many years away from the Harrow area we are once again able to bring the Stones back into the local community.

“We’ve long believed that the best young players in the area should be developing at Wealdstone FC and the addition of the Academy at Harrow College to our two other sites means we now have facilities available to promising footballers across North West London. Our Academy is fast becoming the destination football club for many promising young players outside of the Premier League and EFL.”

Interested in joining us?

For more information click here or contact: academy@wealdstonefc.com 

The College Marketing Network is proud to announce the successful completion of its diverse and impactful series of online workshops for the 2023/24 academic year. Designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of college marketers, these workshops covered a range of topics essential for today’s dynamic educational environment.

The workshops, which were available exclusively to College Marketing Network members, provided invaluable insights and practical strategies from industry experts. Here is a recap of the sessions that took place:

• The Power of GA4: How To Continually Gain Actionable Insights From Your College’s GA4 Data with FE Marketing
• Digital PR and Media Relations – Gaining Media Coverage for Your FE College with Goldings Communications
• The Guardians of Reputation in the AI Era with c-learning
• Recruiting to Higher Technical and HTQ Courses with Chalkstream
• Mastering SEO Basics: A Practical Guide for UK College Marketers with LocaliQ
• Level Up Your Internal Communication! with Next-Gen Media
• Using Geo-Optimised Mobile Ads to Target Potential Students with Crossover Comms and JCDecaux 
• PPC – Why It’s Important Within Education and How to Implement It with LocaliQ
• In Review: The Prospectus with Prospectus+
• Outstanding Employer Engagement – Developing a Mutually Beneficial Relationship with HBM Telemarketing
• How to Increase Conversion, Improve Cost Per Acquisition, and Communication with FE tech
• How to Create the Perfect Poster with JCDecaux 
• Enhancing Student Recruitment: AI-Driven Strategies with Hubspot
• Boosting Your Digital Marketing: Strategies & Tools for Success with LocaliQ
• SoS Silence of Suicide with Silence of Suicide
• The FE Audience & Media Engagement with JCDecaux 
• The HE Audience with JCDecaux 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our hosts who contributed their time and expertise to make these workshops a resounding success. These sessions have equipped members with the tools and knowledge to drive effective marketing campaigns, enhance student recruitment efforts, and manage institutional reputation in an increasingly digital landscape.

Access to the Online Workshops

Join the network today and become part of this supportive community of marketing professionals.

The College Marketing Network is dedicated to supporting marketing professionals within further education. Through workshops, networking events, and resources, we aim to foster a community of practice that drives innovation and excellence in college marketing.

For more information about the member benefits, and the support we provide to members, check out the Membership page

The prestigious FE First Awards, renowned for recognising outstanding achievements in marketing within colleges and sixth forms across the country, has officially opened its doors for entries for the upcoming 2025 edition. Organised exclusively to honour excellence in the further education sector, the awards ceremony is set to take place on Monday 27 January 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Birmingham City Centre.

Established as the sole awards event dedicated to celebrating marketing endeavors within further education institutions, the FE First Awards highlight the innovative and impactful strategies employed by marketing teams and individuals to promote their colleges and sixth forms.

Award Categories

This year’s FE First Awards features an array of categories designed to showcase various facets of marketing prowess within the sector, including:

• Low Budget Campaign Award
• Internal Impact Award
• Events Management Award
• Social & Digital Media Impact Award
• Website Development Award
• Innovation & Creativity Award
• Communications Campaign Award
• Targeted Recruitment Campaign Award
• Prospectus Award
• Green Marketing Award (Sustainability Impact)
• Rising Star Award*
• Marketing Superstar Award*
• Marketing Team of the Year (Large Team – 6 FTE members or more)*
• Marketing Team of the Year (Small Team – 5 FTE members or less)*
• Best of the Best 2022

(*Exclusive to colleges in current membership of the CMN at the time of the awards)

Entry Process

Interested colleges are encouraged to download the entry forms from the FE First Awards website and carefully prepare their submissions. Entries must be received by the deadline of 15 November 2024, with finalists set to be announced during the week commencing 9 December 2024. The awards are free to enter for colleges that are members of the CMN, while non-member colleges can enter for a fee of £125 per award category.

Gala Dinner and Ticket Information

The highlight of the FE First Awards evening will be the gala dinner, commencing with a drinks reception followed by a three-course meal and the eagerly anticipated awards presentation. The event promises an evening of celebration and networking, with a formal dress code in place.

Tickets for the gala dinner are priced at £90 per person for CMN members and £145 per person for non-members, with payment options available via purchase order or online transaction.

About FE First Awards

The FE First Awards are organised by the College Marketing Network (CMN) and serve as a benchmark for excellence in marketing within further education. The awards not only recognise the achievements of marketing teams and individuals but also inspire innovation and best practices across the sector.

For more information on how to enter the FE First Awards and to download entry forms, visit the FE First Awards webpage.

As colleges and sixth forms gear up to showcase their marketing brilliance, anticipation builds for another memorable FE First Awards ceremony in January 2025.

Are you tired of navigating the world of college marketing alone? Well, fear not! The College Marketing Network (CMN) has unveiled an exciting new initiative just in time for Valentine’s Day: Marketing Matchmaker. This innovative strategy aims to connect college marketing teams, fostering collaboration, idea-sharing, and creativity.

Whether you’re a seasoned marketing veteran or just dipping your toes into the world of college marketing, Marketing Matchmaker is your ticket to finding like-minded individuals or teams eager to collaborate. No more feeling isolated in your marketing endeavors – with Marketing Matchmaker, you’ll be paired with another college marketing team or individual within a team, ensuring a perfect match for exchanging insights and strategies.

But wait, there’s more! The CMN ensures that matches are carefully curated to avoid direct competition, while still maintaining proximity for convenient in-person meetings. This means you can rest assured that you’ll be connecting with colleagues who are excited to collaborate without worrying about stepping on each other’s toes.

While the CMN already facilitates termly online collaborations among non-competing colleges, Marketing Matchmaker takes things to the next level by providing a dedicated service for smaller, more intimate partnerships. Gone are the days of feeling lost in a sea of marketing initiatives – now, you can connect with fellow marketers who understand your unique challenges and goals.

So why wait? Take the plunge and drop an email today to let the CMN play matchmaker for your marketing success. This Valentine’s Day, spread the love by embracing collaboration and joining forces with your fellow college marketers. Together, we can elevate the world of college marketing and achieve success beyond our wildest dreams.

The College Marketing Network’s annual conference, held earlier this week (29 January) in Birmingham, brought together over 150 marketing professionals from further education colleges and sixth forms across the country. The one-day event proved to be a hub of inspiration, offering new insights and ideas for attendees to implement in their respective institutions.

The College Marketing Network’s Conference is renowned for providing a platform for marketing professionals to share innovative ideas and best practices within the further education sector. This year’s conference, held at the Crowne Plaza, featured expert speakers and workshop hosts who discussed cutting-edge strategies and showcased successful practices.

The conference kicked off with an inspiring address by Michelle Dowse, Principal at Heart of Worcester College. With a wealth of experience in the further education sector, including her background as a former Marketing Manager, Michelle shared valuable insights about the ever-evolving landscape of further education and what the future holds for marketing professionals.

Delegates had the opportunity to customise their experience by selecting five workshops from a diverse collection of 15. The workshops covered a wide range of topics, including; social media best practice, subject area marketing, the admissions process, branding, the video revolution, student conversion, recruitment strategy, and much more, and were hosted by professionals from various institutions, including members of the College Marketing Network. This interactive format allowed attendees to delve into specific areas of interest, gaining actionable strategies and practical knowledge.

The conference also featured the support of exhibitors with extensive experience in the further education sector, including Forward & Thinking, Pathways, Prospectus+, Smart Distribution Solutions, Glued, Print Data Solutions, Media Partnerships Ltd, Purlos, Circyl, Upskill Reskill, Bluestorm, Next-Gen Media and Gecko Engage. These exhibitors showcased their services and solutions, providing attendees with valuable insights into the latest tools and resources available to enhance marketing efforts in further education.

“The College Marketing Network Conference continues to be a cornerstone event for marketing professionals in the further education sector,” said Emma Wilde, Executive Director. “We are thrilled to have brought together such a diverse group of industry experts, allowing for meaningful discussions and the sharing of innovative ideas that will undoubtedly impact marketing strategies across colleges and sixth forms nationwide.”

The success of the conference underscores the College Marketing Network’s commitment to fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and continuous improvement within the field of further education marketing. As colleges navigate an ever-changing landscape, events like these play a crucial role in shaping the future of marketing in education.

CMN Conference 2025

Already in the planning, the next conference will be held on Monday 27 January 2025 at the Crowne Plaza in Birmingham. More details will be released soon!

---

With thanks to our exhibitors and workshop hosts:

Further education colleges and sixth forms from across the United Kingdom gathered in Birmingham earlier this week (29 January)  to commemorate their outstanding marketing accomplishments at the prestigious FE First Awards. As the sole event dedicated to recognising marketing achievements within the Further Education sector, the awards showcased the exceptional efforts of colleges nationwide.

Organized by Emma Wilde, Executive Director at the College Marketing Network, the event brought attention to the remarkable work of marketing professionals within the further education sector. Emma said: “It was a fantastic event celebrating the amazing marketing professionals that work so hard in the further education sector, which is always an honour.”

Recognising the challenges faced by marketing teams in the sector, she added, “These marketing teams do an incredible job on tight budgets, and for anyone outside the sector, it’s actually a very complex and high-pressure industry to work in, with multiple target audiences and complex funding.”

The FE First Awards featured 15 entry categories encompassing a wide array of marketing topics, including Events Management, Sustainability, Web Design, and Internal Impact. Moulton College secured the Marketing Team of the Year award in the small team category, while Milton Keynes College Group emerged victorious in the large team category. Milton Keynes College also claimed the coveted ‘Best of the Best 2024’ award, having earned four additional awards during the ceremony.

The awards received support from businesses operating within the education sector, including marketing agencies, website specialists, and education-related tools. Sponsors included: Forward & Thinking, Pathways Career, Prospectus+, Qlue, Itineris, Concept4, JC Decaux, System Live, Bloomsbury Institute, Gray Manning, and Next-Gen Media.

The College Marketing Network, now in its 37th year, offers support to marketing teams in the further education sector across the country. Members benefit from free workshops, peer support, best practice sharing with fellow marketers, online resources, and an annual conference. The FE First Awards, established over 20 years ago by the College Marketing Network, remains the only awards event dedicated to marketing in the further education sector.

Emma Wilde concluded: “I would like to congratulate all the winners on their achievements. They should be very proud and know that the work they do is outstanding.”

All of the award winners can be viewed here.

FE First Awards 2025

Next years event is set to be held on Monday 27 January 2025 at the Crowne Plaza in Birmingham. Further details about how to enter will be available soon.

---

With thanks to our sponsors:

Are you ready to unlock the future of college marketing? We’re excited to announce the College Marketing Network Conference 2024, a one-day event that promises to provide you with new insights, inspiration, and practical ideas to elevate your college’s marketing strategies. Join us on Monday 29 January 2024, from 9:00 am at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Birmingham City Centre.

Why Attend?

The College Marketing Network’s Conference is renowned for bringing together expert speakers and workshop hosts who will showcase and discuss innovative ideas and best practices in the field of education marketing. You’ll leave the conference feeling inspired, armed with new skills, and armed with invaluable insights that you can start implementing immediately. The event is not just about learning; it’s also a great opportunity to network and connect with like-minded professionals in the education sector.

Program Highlights

As a delegate, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a selection of five workshops to attend during the day. The conference will also conclude with an insightful keynote address from a prominent figure in the education sector who is deeply passionate about marketing.

Workshop Highlights

Here’s a sneak peek of some of the workshops you can expect at the College Marketing Network Conference 2024:

1. “Are You Engaging with Your Audience?” – Hosted by Forward & Thinking, this workshop explores the synergy between creative content and targeted media channel strategies to engage students and influencers.
2. “Get (and Keep) Their Attention” – Hosted by Smart Distribution Solutions, this session delves into the effectiveness of door drops and direct mail for grabbing and maintaining attention.
3. “From Click to Classroom, Maximizing Student Conversion” – Milton Keynes College will guide you through maximizing student recruitment through personalized, persona-based contact plans.
4. “The Future of the Prospectus” – Prospectus Plus will explore the history, emerging trends, and future possibilities for college prospectuses.
5. “The Power of Subject Area Marketing” – The Manchester College (part of the LTE Group) will demonstrate the effectiveness of subject area marketing in building better relationships and unearthing curriculum USPs.
6. “Brand – Oh, Are We Having a New Logo?” – Uncover the importance of branding and its role as the DNA that defines an organization in this workshop hosted by Elvie-Jo Shergold from Bloomsbury Institute London.
7. “Top 10 Social Media Musts to Engage Prospective Students in 2024” – Hosted by HyBrid, more details about this session are coming soon!
8. “Using AI, First Party Data & Superior UX to Maximize Student Acquisition” – Hosted by Itineris, more details about this session are coming soon!
9. “The Video Revolution: Increase Student Numbers with the Power of Video” – College Videos By Media Partnership will reveal the transformative potential of video content in student recruitment.
10. “Successful Recruitment to Degree Courses” – Glued will take you through the journey of a degree-level application campaign, discussing creative development, media brief, and more.
11. “UX & UI Web Design Best Practice – Promoting the College & Recruiting Students” – Hosted by Concept4, this workshop will delve into the best practices of web design for college promotion and student recruitment.

Check out the full programme!

Opening Keynote Speaker

The conference will kick off with an inspiring keynote address from Michelle Dowse, Principal at Heart of Worcester College. Michelle brings a wealth of experience from the further education sector, and her insights about the future of education marketing are not to be missed.

Exhibitors

We are delighted to have a range of exhibitors attending the event, including:

• Forward & Thinking
• Prospectus Plus
• Go Live Data
• Pathways
• Glued
• Purlos
• Print Data Solutions
• College Videos by Media Partnerships
• Circyl
• Bluestorm
• Smart Distribution Solutions
• Hybrid

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead in the dynamic field of college marketing. Join us at the College Marketing Network Conference 2024 and unlock the future of education marketing. Stay tuned for more details, and secure your spot today!

For more information and and to book, visit: https://m-network.org/conference

We look forward to seeing you in Birmingham for this exciting event.