The Power of Video in Education
For many parents, a school’s website is one of the first places they go when they’re considering a new school for their child.
Photos can show the buildings and facilities, but video can give people a much better sense of what the school is actually like. You can show a classroom in use, students taking part in activities, teachers talking about the school and the atmosphere around the site.
That can be particularly useful for families who haven't visited the school yet.
A well-planned school video can be used across your website, social media, open day campaigns and other marketing materials, giving the school a way to communicate what makes it different.
Showing Prospective Families Around Your School
One of the most useful applications of video is giving prospective families a better idea of the school environment.
A virtual tour can take viewers through classrooms, sports facilities, science labs, creative spaces and other parts of the school that they might not otherwise see until an open day.
It doesn't need to be a long or complicated film. A well-shot video can simply show the school as it is, with a mixture of footage and commentary explaining what makes the different areas important.
Video can also capture things that are difficult to communicate through photographs alone. The sound of a busy classroom, students working together or a teacher explaining an activity can all help create a more realistic impression of school life.
Showing the People Behind the School
The buildings are only one part of what makes a school.
Students, teachers and other members of staff are what give a school its character, and video provides a good opportunity to introduce those people.
Interviews can be particularly effective. A headteacher might explain the school's approach to education, while teachers can talk about their subjects and students can share their own experiences.
These don't need to feel like formal corporate interviews. In many cases, a more relaxed conversation can produce a much more natural result.
Including real voices can also help prospective families understand the school's values and approach before they visit.
Supporting School Recruitment
Video can be useful when schools are trying to attract new students, but it can also play a role in staff recruitment.
Teachers considering a new role will want to know what the school is actually like. A recruitment video can give them a look at the working environment, facilities and wider school community.
Rather than simply listing benefits on a careers page, video can show teachers working with students, colleagues interacting and the different spaces available across the school.
It gives prospective staff something more tangible to base their first impression on.
Video Isn't Just for Marketing
School video production doesn't have to be focused entirely on recruitment or marketing.
There are plenty of other ways schools can use video.
Schools might produce videos to document events, celebrate achievements, introduce new facilities or share projects with parents. Short videos can also work well for social media, particularly when schools have regular activities and stories they want to share.
There is also an opportunity to involve students themselves.
Getting Students Involved
Creating video content can be a useful learning experience for students.
A project such as filming a day in the life of their school could involve planning, interviewing, filming and editing. Along the way, students can develop communication, teamwork and digital skills.
It also gives them the opportunity to think about how their school is presented and what they believe is important about their own experience.
For some students, being involved behind the camera can be just as valuable as appearing in front of it.
What Makes a Good School Video?
There isn't one format that works for every school. The right approach depends on what you want the video to achieve.
Before starting a project, it is worth thinking about a few basic questions.
What is the purpose?
Are you trying to attract prospective pupils, recruit staff, promote an open day or simply give people a better idea of everyday school life?
Having a clear purpose will make it much easier to decide what needs to be filmed.
Who are you trying to reach?
A video aimed at prospective parents will probably look different from one designed to attract teachers.
Think about who will be watching and what they will want to know.
What should you show?
Make a list of the parts of school life that you want people to see.
This might include lessons, facilities, extracurricular activities, staff, students and events. You don't necessarily need to show everything. The aim is to choose the things that best represent your school.
Why Professional Production Can Make a Difference
There is certainly a place for schools creating their own quick videos for social media. Phones have made it much easier to capture and share content as things happen.
For a larger project, however, professional school video production can make a noticeable difference.
Good sound, lighting, camera work and editing all affect how a video feels. Just as importantly, having an experienced production team means someone can think about the structure of the film and what footage is needed before filming starts.
This is particularly important when filming in a busy school. Lessons and activities need to continue, staff and students have their own schedules, and there may only be a limited amount of time available to capture everything.
A good production plan helps keep the filming organised without disrupting the normal school day.
Making Your Video Work Harder
Once your school video has been produced, don't limit it to one page on your website.
A main school film could sit on your homepage or admissions page, while shorter sections can be adapted for social media.
You might also use video in:
- Open day promotions
- School newsletters
- Recruitment campaigns
- Social media posts
- Prospectuses and digital brochures
- Careers pages
- Email campaigns
Creating a range of content from one production can help you get much more value from the filming.
School Video Production in London
For schools in London and across the UK, professional video can be a useful way to show prospective families and staff what makes their school different.
The best school videos don't necessarily need elaborate sets or complicated concepts. Often, the most effective approach is simply to capture the school honestly — the people, lessons, activities and spaces that make up everyday life.
With the right planning and a clear idea of what you want the video to achieve, one filming day can create a library of content that your school can use well beyond the original project.
If you're considering school video production for your school, we'd be happy to discuss what you're looking to achieve and how we could approach the filming.