How to Write an Interesting School News or Blog Post to Engage Parents

You like blogs, don’t you? Yes, of course, it’s a trick question because you’re reading one! Not the best little ploy to draw you in but you’re still here! If you’re responsible for coming up with blogs or news items for your school, you may struggle to keep coming up with ideas. Obviously, we have no idea how that feels here, but nevertheless, we’ve dug deep and come up with a few ideas on content – witty, opening remarks are still entirely up to you!

1. Useful information.

Bearing in mind that even the most sensible and researched information must be presented in a way that grabs attention, you can reasonably assume that parents are already surfing the internet for something pertinent and relatable in terms of getting things right for their child in school.

Every publication on earth (with a handful of exceptions of which we will not speak) has a ‘Back to School’ article as the end of holiday periods approach; from getting geometry sets in order to getting children in order (and out of bed), tips to help parents and pupils with the change in routine, will be welcomed.

Equally appreciated are articles with recipes – perhaps even using contributions from parents, teachers and students. Less fun but so important, how about a blog on helping with homework, or encouraging creative thinking and problem-solving. This doesn’t come naturally to all parents and some may be looking for other tips and strategies for coping with children‘s behaviour; try a few pointers that you use in school, such as rewarding good behaviour and ignoring bad (as much as is reasonable).

2. A look behind the scenes.

How does your school work? What does the headteacher do at the weekend? What have past pupils achieved and how do they credit the school? Most families are interested in seeing staff as humans outside of school and hearing about the parts of school activity they can’t see.

Also in this category is information about the school’s history – was the geometry teacher really around back in 1852? (That may be a typo but you get the idea). Looking forward can be as good as looking back – share plans and expectations – even use the chance for a bit of consultation.

3. Show off your school.

If you know your ‘remarkable’ you can highlight its different aspects from time to time. Perhaps you produce nationally renowned theatre or have a state-of-the-art sports hall – feature different things at different times.

These types of things are likely to be shared on social media and amongst friends (‘I told you the school had a School Dinners Award!’) Going into a bit of detail, with stories from real students or events, give a sense of personality and principle. Think about a school sports team – you might even get new joiners – or the chess club or after-school provision or the best equipped science labs or technology blocks.

4. Address the tricky topics.

Families facing any kind of hardship or struggling against life’s challenges – that’s pretty much everyone – will be thrilled to feel supported practically and emotionally if you blog about issues of the day. Don’t be afraid to talk about bullying, for example, even if you don’t think it’s a problem in your school; people will be encouraged to see it, not shocked by its mere mention.

You can use blogging opportunities to build on those issues that are important to you – acceptance and tolerance, for example, or mental health and well-being. Talk about how you are dealing with things in school and how parents can talk to their children about difficult issues at home. Perhaps suggest reading material and other resources and always invite parents – or children – to approach you if they need to talk things through.

5. Go broad.

Your blog can be as light or heavy as you like, or you can change tone with each post, or mix it up in one, but sometimes a look at the weightier issues might interest parents. Social and political movements, educational debates or specialist features on lesser-known issues (a response to the proposed GCSE in British Sign Language, perhaps?) can provide a talking point and help parents see that your school is multidimensional.

6. Go broader.

A school doesn’t exist in isolation and neither does a family. From time to time you can cover topics not directly about your school or education. What about the region you are in, things to do with children in the area, a feature or landmark?

7. Use a guest blogger.

Educational specialists, famous people, a parent, an ex-student… Getting various perspectives and tones helps keep your blog diverse and stimulating. You might even let one or more students have a go – perhaps tying in with an aspect of the curriculum or just encouraging them with an interest.

Naturally, you won’t be doing this just so you can have a break – because you like blogs, don’t you?

98% of the time we get it completely right the first time and when we don’t, it’s usually just a tweak or two that’s needed. We tweak quickly and responsively because it’s important you are completely happy with the results. That’s how we extend that list of Blue Apple Education admirers, though sadly we can’t spare anyone to run the fan club.