When parents and pupils are considering a school, they are not just looking for exam results or facilities. They want to know what it feels like to belong to that community. One of the most effective ways to show this is by letting your students do the talking.

Why student voice is so important to schools

Every school has a story, but too often it is told only by senior leaders or governors. Parents and prospective pupils are far more likely to believe in your brand when they hear directly from the young people living it day by day. A pupil’s perspective brings authenticity that no polished brochure can replicate.

Involving student voice in your school’s marketing helps to:

• Build trust - parents feel reassured when they hear honest, unfiltered experiences.
• Show inclusivity - a range of voices reflects a diverse and welcoming culture.
• Bring your values to life - rather than listing values on a poster, students can show how those values shape their learning and relationships.

Ways to showcase student voice

There are many simple yet powerful ways to put pupils at the centre of your brand storytelling. Here are a few ideas:

• Video features - short clips of students speaking about lessons, sports, or school life are highly engaging on websites and social media.
• Written blogs or diary entries - invite students to share their experiences in their own words. These can be lightly edited for clarity while keeping their authentic tone.
• Quotes in prospectuses - weaving in real comments makes brochures and handbooks more relatable.
• Student-led social media takeovers - allow pupils to showcase a day in school life on Instagram or TikTok (with guidance).

Balancing authenticity with safeguarding

Of course, authenticity must sit alongside safeguarding and professionalism. It is important to:

• Gain parental consent before sharing images or quotes.
• Provide staff oversight for social media activities.
• Choose stories that align with your school’s ethos and values.

Handled carefully, student voice becomes an asset that reflects your school as safe, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

The SEO advantage of student voice

From an SEO perspective, including student voice provides schools with a natural source of regular, authentic content. Managed well, blogs, videos, and case studies featuring pupils not only highlight your school’s values and culture but also signal freshness and originality to search engines. This combination helps build long-term visibility online while giving parents a clearer picture of what makes your school unique. By integrating student voice into your brand storytelling, you are not only strengthening your reputation with parents and pupils but also building long-term visibility online.

At Whisper for Schools, we help schools find clarity in how they tell their story. If you’d like support in weaving student voice into your communications, we’d love to talk.

‍