Marketing & Admissions

We support independent schools to diversify their student body and create inclusive, welcoming environments. We understand the unique challenges that schools face when it comes to attracting families of African Caribbean heritage, and our tailored services are designed to address these challenges head-on.

Our services in this area include Co-Facilitated Open Events, and Marketing & Admissions Audits.

In addition, we host an annual Parent Summit for parents of African Caribbean heritage students. If you would like to take part in the event or support the event in return for the placement of your school’s admissions material, please get in touch.

Why Choose ACEN?

We combine deep expertise in marketing, admissions, and racial inclusion with a unique understanding of the independent school sector. By working with us, you’ll receive personalised solutions that help your school not only attract Black families but also sustain a culturally rich and inclusive student body.

MARKETING & ADMISSIONS AUDITS

Our Marketing & Admissions Audits provide an in-depth review of your school’s outreach, messaging, and admissions processes through the lens of racial inclusion. We work closely with your team to identify potential barriers that may discourage African Caribbean heritage families from engaging with your school. Our comprehensive audit includes:

  • An analysis of your current marketing materials, website, digital presence and physical space.
  • Recommendations to enhance messaging and imagery that authentically represent diversity.
  • An assessment of your admissions process to ensure it is inclusive, transparent, and accessible for all families.
  • Practical strategies to foster long-term engagement and trust with prospective Black families.

CO FACILITATED OPEN EVENTS

In addition to our audits, we offer co-facilitated open evenings, a powerful way to engage with African Caribbean heritage families in a personal and impactful manner. We will partner with your school’s leadership team to co-host open events, creating a welcoming space for families to:

  • Learn about your school’s commitment to racial inclusion
  • Hear directly from current Black families and students about their experiences at your school.
  • Engage in open and honest conversations with senior leadership, answering questions and addressing concerns.

Our co-facilitated open evenings are designed to break down barriers and build trust, demonstrating your school’s dedication to fostering a racially diverse and inclusive community.

MARKETING, ADMISSIONS & OUTREACH TESTIMONIALS

We were keen to collaborate with ACEN as they come so highly recommended, and our staff had already greatly benefitted from attending their excellent conferences and webinars. Undoubtedly the experience has been transformative for us as we look to create a truly inclusive environment and to increase the number of Black students who apply to our school so that we better reflect the diversity of the local area. The audit that they have conducted is skilful and wide-reaching; they bring an excellent knowledge of the sector which ensures that their advice is clear and actionable.

The admissions event was such a positive and helpful experience for us, Aisha’s guidance and advice was invaluable, and we learnt a great deal from the evening. We know that the work they have already done has improved the experiences of our students further and we look forward to continuing to work with ACEN as part of our staff INSET programme. We have felt so well supported, and we have gained a much deeper understanding of what we are doing that works and why, and what our next steps should be going forward.

Jess Bedi, Senior Deputy Head

In the 2023/24 academic year, we extended our partnership with ACEN to include an additional admissions event focused on attracting more Black heritage applicants at every entry point, from 4+ to 16+. Working closely with Aisha, the partnership was very supportive, and allowed us to benefit from Aisha’s expertise with admissions processes and delivering similar admissions events for schools with comparable profiles across the country.

The collaboration included planning the event, shared marketing and invitation campaigns, communications advice, and leveraging ACEN’s extensive network of prospective families. The admissions event was a great success and contributed to our ongoing commitment to inclusion at the School, introducing us to many new prospective families.

 Chanel Noel, Strategic Inclusion Lead and Director of Community Partnerships at Highgate School

Wimbledon High School has been working in partnership with the African Caribbean Education Network for the past two years. ACEN have played a vital role in our Diversity & Inclusion strategy, helping us reflect upon what it means to be inclusive, and shape the support offered to our staff, students, and families. The ACEN consultants have been warm, insightful, and knowledgeable partners in building a framework where our school can ensure we are accessible, welcoming, and supportive of a diverse range of talented individuals whether they be staff or students.

The consultants have worked closely with our staff to deliver different aspects of ACEN’s consultancy and their insights into our outward-facing communications, applications, and overall Human Resources perspective have been invaluable. ACEN’s recommendations have felt authentic, measured, and have helped us enact changes that have made a tangible difference. Wimbledon High School has never believed in performative statements, and by partnering with innovators like Aisha and Shola, we are able to use metrics that hold leaders and our community to account, where we are able to not only visually and tangibly experience change, but measure and quantify it, for the betterment of all.

Our staff and students instantly connected with the ACEN team. Their consultancy has been professionally informative and supportive for our staff and has enhanced the conversations that are necessary to ensure every voice is heard and understood. ACEN’s consultation has been a huge part of our inclusion strategy that has helped Black families and children within our WHS community and something that we are truly grateful and incredibly proud of.

Fionnuala Kennedy, Head

St-Pauls-School-logo - African Caribbean Education Network

Throughout every interaction we’ve had with ACEN, their delivery, professionalism and expertise has been outstanding. The way in which they are able to engage audiences effectively and with impact, often whilst discussing sensitive and emotional topics, is impressive, and we always come away feeling informed, confident and supported in our learning.

In particular, ACEN’s work on reviewing our marketing and HR touchpoints has had a significant impact on progressing the school’s DEI goals, and contributed to both the diversification of our governing board and the appointment of a DEI lead. We look forward to more opportunities to work with ACEN going forward.

Tyler John, Head of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion