CASE STUDY

STEP Academy Trust

How PLMR helped STEP Academy Trust build their profile.

Client

STEP Academy Trust

Sector

Services provided

The Situation

STEP Academy Trust is a thriving MAT, with 20 primary schools across South London and East Sussex. The Trust approached PLMR with the objective of raising the profile of the Trust, and growing its footprint, through an integrated communication plan.

What we did

Working with the central team at the Trust alongside the 20 primary schools, PLMR designed an integrated strategy, combining positive PR, thought leadership, stakeholder engagement and reputation management to achieve the ambitious objectives of this impressive group of schools.

As part of our initial work to understand the schools in greater depth, we asked each school to complete a survey, to identify their specific strengths and opportunities, to ensure our approach was targeted to achieve the greatest impact.

Following the design of this communications strategy, we attended a Trust-wide conference where we presented to the executive team, and Headteachers from across the Trust, to ensure we had the relevant by-in, and so that all relevant team members within STEP understood how to best access the communications support at the disposal.

The Result

Over the space of nine month, we secured several local MP meetings for the schools, offering them the chance to bolster their relationships with key stakeholders in the community.

Coupled with this, we secured regular coverage across local media in South London, and East Sussex and also organised several thought leadership opportunities, positioning the trust as examples of best practice across the sector.

We then consolidated this profile-raising effort by providing strategic advice when needed, to support with internal communications across the Trust, and to navigate many of the challenging events that the education sector has faced over the last year.

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