Nick is a communications consultant specialising in the educator sector. He was formerly editorial manager at the National College for School Leadership where he edited the College’s ‘flagship members’ magazine ldr, as well as writing and editing content for national and education media and the College’s 100,000+ members.

Profile takes a look at the many aspects of school and academy marketing and communications, with a focus on providing inspiration, practical advice and quick wins.

The magazine can be downloaded at www.profileguide.co.uk

You can also become a member of our new LinkedIn online community. The aim of this networking group is to provide schools with the opportunity to discuss challenges and share tips and advice with fellow school marketeers and communicators from across the UK. Email Nick and we’ll send you the link.

The students, who are studying GCSE Journalism, took part in a full day interactive workshop which gave them an insight into the world of professional magazine production.

They were split into two teams, one working on the visual side of the publication – focusing on photography and design – and the other on editorial skills. The groups were led by members of our design and education department and the students had the opportunity to ask them questions about their careers.

David Read, Headteacher at Scalby School, said: “We participated in this workshop because it gave our GCSE students the opportunity to work with professionals on a project which mattered; the creation of our school magazine. It provided not only a worthwhile educational experience, but also led to the production of a school magazine that is the work of students. This is a genuine way to convey what a school is like.”

The product that was created was Success magazine – a four page publication which the students wrote, designed and illustrated with photography in just one day. Students also received a certificate to show they had completed the workshop.

One of the students who was involved said: “Working with a professional company has really helped bring our ideas to life! Thank you Words&Pictures!”

The workshops are designed to link to the personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS) learner framework to help students develop skills that assist them with life, learning and work.

For an insight into what the students experienced, have a look at this short film which was produced on the day.

If you’re interested in discussing a student magazine in a day workshop for your school, then please get in touch.

As well as winning other prizes, competition winner Adanna Okonofuo, aged 9, from SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School in Yeadon, won her class a workshop at Words&Pictures where they’ll see their winning advert transformed by our team of designers.

Gemma Casey, our Education Development Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with the Yorkshire Evening Post to celebrate outstanding young talent across the region. Primary schools and nurseries are special places that need to be fully celebrated and this campaign was a great example of co-development.”

As a business, we’re now well placed to bring these kind of partnerships to life with following employer brand work with the likes of M&S, Boots, Honda and ASDA, along with our student-centric approach on the education side of our business.

This year, the Words&Pictures education team has already brought such experience to local primary schools including Allerton Primary School, Iqra Primary School, St Oswald’s CofE and Hunslet Moor Primary School.

Sharon Lambert, headteacher at Allerton Primary School and Nursery in Bradford – rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted – said their school had been thrilled by the way Words&Pictures had helped them produce a “stunning” prospectus. “We were delighted with how Words&Pictures listened to our ideas, involved us in the process and translated the story of our school into a prospectus we all love. Our children and parents are very happy with the result. It’s a prospectus that really does celebrate our school.”

Words&Pictures collected the coveted ‘Innovation in Recruitment’ award, against such big-name opposition as Adidas, Accenture, Network Rail and RBS, at a ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel, London, on Wednesday.

The awards, organised by the Recruiter magazine and hosted by comedian and TV star Dara O Briain, attracted some 1,300 people, including big star names in the recruitment sector – all battling for pride of place in 25 different categories.

Tony Layton, chairman and founder of Words&Pictures, shared that the agency is “surprised and delighted” to win such a prestigious award. “We were up against some very significant opposition, but emerged as outright winners in a very competitive category,” said Layton.

The Words&Pictures’ entry featured a wide-ranging collaborative project with the Careers in Optics Working Group, comprising high-street opticians including Specsavers, Boots and Vision Express, as well as professional bodies and universities.

The cutting-edge collaborative campaign focused on raising awareness of the benefits of a career in optics for young people throughout the UK.

A special Words&Pictures task force, led by Leah Newby, head of education at the company, developed workshops in seven schools with ambassadors from the working group.

“To inspire young people we needed the workshops to be interactive, empowering and relevant,” said Newby. “We used optical illusions and produced a 3D movie which went down very well with the students.”

It seemed to go down well with judges too who said the campaign had demonstrated “real innovation, technology and investment in the grass-roots, with the long term plan of attracting future recruits into the (optics) industry”.

Meanwhile, Professor David Thomson, chair of the Careers in Optics Working Group, said: “I’m really proud of the way the entire optical sector got behind this initiative. The success is a tribute to the hard work of the working group and the creativity of Words&Pictures.”

The event was also supported by leading arts organisations within the region including Northern Ballet, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds Grand Theatre and Phoenix Dance Theatre who gave presentations on working life in the arts.  Susie Delves represented Words&Pictures covering Marketing and PR career options in the Arts and generally.

Newly signed girl band Parade, about to tour with Alexandra Burke (past X Factor winner), gave a short performance and answered student questions on getting a record deal and breaking into the music industry.

The event’s aim was to inform students of the various careers available within Performing Arts, roles that may not always be obvious choices from performing, stage management, scriptwriting, composing, choreographing, marketing, finance, publicity to carpentry. And also to explain first hand the many different pathways towards their intended career with the input of leading arts organisations and practitioners from the Yorkshire region.

Nicoline Harrington, Director of Specialism at Rodillian School, said: “It is vitally important that we prepare students for life and the world of work.  We are not merely an exam factory; we provide practical life enhancing experiences to equip our students for their future.”

Student feedback from the day was positive…

• “I want to be an electrician but I hadn’t even thought I could take this into the theatre.  I am going to look at going into lighting now.
• “I really want to be a performer but it has made me think about other jobs that might also give me some wider experiences in the theatre.
• “I was inspired by the band and want to start singing. I really want to do what they are doing.”

We were really pleased to be able to support the initiative and happy to hear the event is very likely to be given an encore this coming year.

The Optics Working Group comprises major high street opticians, professional bodies and leading universities who joined forces acknowledging they could create a more impactful, integrated and engaging campaign by working together. The fast-paced and motivational workshops are based around the concept of ‘living life in a new dimension’.

Commenting, David Thomson, Chair of the Careers in Optics Working Group, said: “The Group aims to raise awareness of optics as a career choice in schools and sixth form colleges. Optometry and optics is developing rapidly and is an exciting option.  We are working to stimulate further interest in the profession and to target specific regions where recruitment challenges exist.  It was essential to think creatively and to develop an attractive, dynamic campaign.”

Words&Pictures co-developed the content of the workshops in partnership with optometrists and dispensing opticians – who will ultimately become ambassadors and deliver the material in schools throughout the UK.

Other projects are ongoing in line with the STEM-related initiative and Words&Pictures would love to help if you have a similar or STEM related project.

Tony Layton, MD, said: “It’s an honour and an inspiration to have someone of Brian’s calibre joining us at such a critical time when educational organisations are needing all the help they can get in communicating their achievements.

“We’ve asked Brian to help our Education team to build on its success… and it seems that already he is having a very positive effect. He brings more than 30 years’ experience in change management in Higher Education to his new role.”

Meanwhile, Dr Whittington said he is delighted to be able to help such an “innovative, progressive” organisation in its next stage of development.