Get it Sorted - Linx2Schools Case Study

Research to design: Creating
a new scheme, establishing
a brand

Linx2Schools was established in 2006 as an LAA funded project. It provides a link between school teachers and the services that are available to enrich their syllabus and the children’s educational experience.

Working with schools, local services and private companies the linx2schools coordinators continue to make sure this link is maintained, promoted and easily accessible.

A5 postcard

The Brief

We are all aware of the positive benefit that an injection of variety can have in our lives. This is especially true for children. Additional visits to and from external service providers and companies can be integrated successfully into the curriculum, frequently creating more impact than a straightforward lesson. Teachers also benefit from the ability to collaborate with these service providers and companies to help communicate and reinforce the curriculum.

However, as teachers, council members, service providers and companies in Walsall found, this isn’t always a straightforward matter. Although these potential services and partnerships were available, there were often problems in communication. This was mainly between school teachers and the different organisations not understanding what impact they could have on helping deliver the curriculum. Service providers and organisations often found it hard to contact staff at the schools that would find their input useful. Equally, school teachers who were looking for support found it hard to locate the organisations and the individual staff contacts to instigate these relationships.

With this in mind Walsall council approached Get It Sorted. They were looking to:

Investigate whether such a system had been established
Identify what the preferred means of communication would be
Develop a communication plan to deliver the initiative
Design a logo and branding for the project
Develop information, website and promotional material and establish means of delivery

The Solution

The first step in the process was to research the problem and potential solutions. The first finding was that there were no models already in existence that would provide an ideal solution. This was to be expected, the scheme was breaking new ground.

The next task was to talk to teachers across the whole educational sector and the agencies that worked with them to establish how the users of this service would prefer to be communicated with. This also took into consideration budget and the creation of a system that could integrate into existing communication channels and be easily updated and maintained.

Brochure containing details of participant organisations, profiles and contact details. This gave schools easy access to arrange meetings and activities

With the initial research complete and the results analysed, a communication plan was developed which included:

Communication methodology
Information and promotional material which would be required
Suggestions for staffing levels in the Linx2Schools organisation
Monitoring the impact of the initiative

At the same time, as this was a new venture, branding was also developed. Logos were designed and design guidelines developed to ensure a consistent look and feel to all material produced for the project.

Wallchart detailing companies by relevant subject

In response to our research we created a solution to the brief. Linx2Schools acts as a porthole that can approach and be approached by teachers, service providers and organisations. Information is recorded to a set format with the company providing a description of their activities and what they offer to the schools to help deliver the curriculum and schools initiatives. The confusion the teachers experienced in trying to find an appropriate person to talk to at these organisations was removed. An existing member of staff at each company was assigned the role of schools communication, providing their direct contact details with the organisation profile. This was detailed in a brochure distributed to each of the 2,500 teachers in Walsall and was also supported by a website. In addition to the individual pages assigned to each company in the directory there was a large format table, in the directory, on a wallchart provided to each school and on the website. This linked where each agency has an impact on the area of the curriculum and other schools initiatives

Mouse mat

This project has allowed teachers to expand their potential sources of support without having to perform their own research.

To reinforce the scheme a variety of other media was distributed. Branded mouse mats, white boards, pens and postcards were supplied to the schools, raising the profile of the service. Additional information is supplied with targeted literature, such as newsletters on a regular basis.

Poster and whiteboard

The uptake from agencies was impressive, with many organisations as diverse as museums, leisure centres through to the local police force, featured in the high quality, full colour directory. Teachers have responded well and involvement with the featured activities and services has risen dramatically.

The simplicity of this system allows easy updating of information and the addition of new services at each annual review.

Conclusion

Through a process of careful research and planning, an entire organisation and brand was created with a system to support it. With a simple and considered approach in its design and implementation it was then possible to reach every teacher across the Walsall area and more significantly create a genuinely marked impact on the teaching provided.

Key facts

Detailed research provided the information that needed to be made available and the best way of delivering it
Design work was again influenced by this research resulting in a clear, easy to use format
The resulting information sources and promotional material ensured the success of the scheme

About Linx2Schools

Linx2Schools was established in 2006 to help promote relationships between schools and external agancies
The services of Linx2Schools have proven to be a motivational factor in increasing the activities pupils undertake