Is Your School Website Summer Ready? As the academic year winds down, it’s the perfect time to give your school website a little attention. Whether it’s prospective parents researching schools for next year or current families looking for key term dates and information, your website plays a vital role in shaping first impressions and supporting your school community.
A well-maintained and up-to-date website reflects a well-run school. Taking time now to refresh your website will help ensure it continues to inform, impress and engage throughout the summer and into the new academic year. From admissions content and key dates to candidate packs and contact forms. Before staff and students head off for a well-earned break, here are some essential updates to make sure your website is ready for summer and beyond.
1. Check and update term dates and calendar entries
Outdated information is a quick way to lose trust. Parents, especially new or prospective ones, rely on your website for accurate dates and planning. Ensure the following are up to date:
- Term dates for the next academic year
- INSET days
- Open days or taster events
- Key exam or assessment periods
- Holiday clubs or summer activities (if applicable)
If you provide downloadable calendars or PDFs, double-check that they match the online versions. Consistency is key.
2. Review and improve admissions content
Many families start exploring school options over the summer, so make it easy for them to find what they need. Check that your admissions section:
- Clearly outlines the process and key dates
- Includes the most recent prospectus
- Links to your latest Ofsted or ISI report
- Features virtual tours, videos, or welcome messages
- Includes testimonials or quotes from current parents
Try browsing your admissions journey as if you were a new parent. Is it clear what the next step is? A well-placed call to action like “Arrange a visit” or “Download our prospectus” can make all the difference.
3. Update staff, leadership, and governor information
With staff changes often announced before the summer, it’s a good time to review:
- Headteacher’s welcome message
- Senior leadership team bios and photos
- Class teacher listings
- Governors or trust board information
Even if you’re waiting for official photos or bios for new starters, it’s helpful to remove any outdated details to avoid confusion in September.
4. Celebrate your school’s achievements
Don’t let your recent successes go unnoticed. The end of term is rich with stories that can show your school’s values in action:
- Prize-giving or award ceremonies
- Performances, concerts or exhibitions
- Sporting achievements
- Community events and charity work
- School trips and enrichment activities
Consider creating a dedicated end-of-year news post or a highlights gallery to bring these moments together. This is not only a great way to celebrate but also demonstrates your vibrant school life to future parents.
5. Test usability on mobile and for accessibility
With many users browsing on their phones, mobile performance is crucial. Check the following:
- Do pages load quickly?
- Is text easy to read without zooming?
- Do menus and buttons work correctly?
- Are all documents accessible on mobile?
Also, review the site with accessibility in mind. Are your fonts large enough? Do all images have alt text? Is your colour contrast sufficient? A more inclusive website helps everyone. Is your school website summer ready? This is the perfect time to make sure it performs well for all users.
6. Prepare scheduled content for the break
If your school shuts down for summer, your website shouldn’t go quiet too. Consider scheduling:
- Blog posts or stories at regular intervals
- Reminders about back-to-school dates or uniform policies
- Pre-recorded welcome messages for new joiners
This keeps your site feeling alive, boosts SEO, and helps parents stay informed.
7. Audit your contact details and enquiry forms
Before signing off for summer, double-check:
- General contact email addresses and phone numbers
- Who receives enquiries through your contact forms
- That forms are sending confirmation messages
- Links to social media channels or newsletters
If someone reaches out while the school office is closed, consider an automated response explaining when you’ll be back.
8. Review recruitment pages and candidate packs
If your school is advertising roles over the summer or preparing for recruitment in the autumn term, your website should fully support that process. Check that:
- Vacancies are current, clearly listed and easy to find
- Candidate packs are up to date, visually appealing and simple to download
- Role descriptions accurately reflect your school’s culture and values
- Application deadlines and contact details are correct
Many visitors during the summer may be passive candidates, casually exploring future opportunities. A well-crafted candidate pack and a warm, informative recruitment page can help your school stand out in a busy education landscape. Click here to see some of our previous work for clients and how we can help.
Final thoughts
Is Your School Website Summer Ready? Your school website is often the first place people go to find out more about your school, so keeping it current and easy to navigate is well worth the effort. A few simple updates before the summer break can help you start the new academic year on the front foot, reassuring prospective families and reinforcing your school’s reputation.
If you’d like help reviewing your current site or planning a summer refresh, get in touch with the Ambleglow team. We’ve worked with schools across the country to create websites that work harder, look better, and support your goals all year round. Book a Discovery Call here.
Post – Nicola – contact
