The Manor Preparatory School, located in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, is a leading independent day school for boys and girls aged 2 to 11. Celebrated for its warm, nurturing ethos and commitment to excellence, The Manor provides an inspiring education that balances academic achievement with creativity, confidence and kindness.
We are seeking a full-time Head of Marketing and Admissions to join our team on a permanent basis. We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a team player with initiative and creativity. Experience of school addmisions and/or marketing would be desirable but not essential, and we warmly welcome applications from those already working in the sector as well as those with relevant, transferable skills set.
This is a vitally important role within not only the day to day operation of the school but also with the scope to influence and develop the overall strategic aims of our organisation.
A significant part of the post is to ensure that there are strong pupil numbers within the school, driving recruitment and ensuring retention of pupils.
Other purposes include working with the Head to maintain excellent and timely communications with all stakeholders within the school, including governors, and working to further enhance the outstanding reputation of The Manor.
It also includes driving Marketing and leading the Marketing Committee which is a Sub-Committee of the Full Governing Board.
For the right candidate, this role will form a pivotal strategic function within the Senior Leadership Team as well as working closely with the Senior Executive Team, comprising the Head, the Director of Finance & Operations, the Head of Pre-Prep, the Deputy Head Pastoral and the Deputy Head Academic.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
* To oversee and refine the pupil journey from enquiry to alumni stage, liaising closely with prospective parents, guiding them through our highly personalised admissions process, including initial contact, dealing with prospectus enquiries, organising visits to the school, following up on admissions enquiries and then converting through to the school roll ensuring exceptional customer experience at every touchpoint.
* To develop and drive a clear marketing and admissions strategy aimed at optimising pupil numbers and brand awareness, and opportunities for recruitment and retention whilst always remaining true to the aims and values of The Manor.
* To work effectively with external agencies, such as the website provider, digital marketing agency, and designer; to ensure all digital platforms (website, social media, directories) meet high standards for accessibility, accuracy, safeguarding and brand consistency
* To manage and develop the brand of The Manor Preparatory school, acting as a ‘Brand Guardian’ and ensuring that key messages are communicated in a consistent, clear and professional manner.
* To lead and inspire all members of staff in marketing activities in order to fulfil strategic aims, focusing on pupil recruitment and retention
* To develop relationships both within and outside school to enhance the profile and reputation of The Manor locally, regionally and nationally, including those with other schools and settings
* To lead on parent satisfaction monitoring, including designing and analysing surveys (e.g. NPS, leaver surveys) and generating actionable insights for SLT and Governors
* To design and implement data-driven recruitment pipelines, including conversion tracking, competitor analysis and demographic trend monitoring; to use this to help forecast pupil numbers and inform long-term strategic planning
* To conduct ongoing competitor analysis across local and regional independent schools, sharing insights with SLT and Governors
* To successfully manage the admissions and marketing budget ensuring optimisation of the financial investment in the department to provide the best possible return
* To ensure compliance in relation to ISI requirements linked to school roll, as well as with other organisations, such as those relating to visas etc
* To successfully lead the planning and organisation of all marketing and admissions events, such as Open Days
Person Specification
Essential :
* Excellent inter-personal and communication skills
* Proactive, shows initiative
* Team player
* Creative thinker and solutions focussed
* Highly articulate and literate
* Good sense of humour and personable
* Excellent organisational skills
* Empathetic
* Flexible
* Can demonstrate the ability to think strategically and/or manage projects
* Ability to plan, report and manage budgets
* Sales and/or customer care experience
* Demonstrable experience improving customer service experience, client journeys or service pathways
* Numerate and IT literate
* Strong analytical skills with an ability to interpret data, produce reports and inform strategic decisionsAble to work under pressure, to multiple priorities and strict deadlines, prioritising own workload
* A commitment to fully understanding the independent sector landscape, both local and national
* Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate discretion at all times
Desirable :
* Experience of school admissions and/or marketing
* Specific marketing qualifications
* Events co-ordination experience
* Experience of developing strategic and tactical plans, combined with a record of successfully implementing them
* Excellent market knowledge of independent schools and pupil recruitment
* Experience working with CRM or admissions management systems (e.g., Hubspot, iSAMS, SchoolBase, Admissions+)
* Experience managing digital content ecosystems, including SEO, PPC, analytics and social media campaigns
* Understanding of regulatory frameworks relevant to independent schools (ISI, UKVI compliance, safeguarding)
* Track record of leading and motivating teams
Elements of the Role
Leading and developing the team to deliver the following key elements:
* Admissions and Marketing processes: delivering these processes as a cohesive whole to recruit and retain pupils and promote The Manor as a premier preparatory school.
* Internal Communications: Regular meetings with Head; close liaison with SET, SLT, Bursary and SENCO; meetings with governors including Marketing Committee; liaison with Head’s PA; overseeing and maintaining continuous dialogue and feedback with key internal stakeholders including all staff, pupils and current parents; provision of all necessary information and statistics to Head, DFO, staff and governors; giving due regard to all GDPR requirements.
* External Communications: Providing bespoke service to all prospective parents at each stage of admissions process from initial enquiries through offers to acceptance; overseeing and maintaining continuous dialogue and feedback with key external stakeholders; furthering alumni relationships; developing relationships with the local community in order to raise the profile of the school; seeking excellent opportunities for publicity and developing links with local press, other registrars, local schools and organisations; liaison with external suppliers of admissions and marketing materials including advertising; overseeing website, digital marketing and social media accounts. Overseeing and evaluating digital marketing performance data (analytics dashboards, conversion funnels, campaign performance) and reporting outcomes to SLT and Governors. Ensuring effective reputation management, including monitoring online presence, school review platforms and press activity.
* Promotional materials: Overseeing production and updating of prospectus, inserts and all promotional material; updating new pupil information and online welcome booklet; updating advertising & media schedules; distributing school magazines to ex-pupils, secondary and nursery schools, prospective parents etc as appropriate. Ensuring the school’s photography and videography assets are current, high quality and reflect the school’s values, diversity and ethos.
* Records and Database: Maintaining admissions database; recording all enquiries, follow up letters, registrations, offers and acceptances; keeping accurate records of Nursery and Pre-Nursery available places and informing accounts department of changes; circulating updated whole school lists; ensuring compliance with statutory, ISI and visa requirements.
* Events and visits (on and off site): Organising prospective parent tours and visits, touring with parents and follow up actions; leading the planning and organisation of Open Days/ Open Evenings, liaising with Head of Y5/6 re guides, attending events; liaising with Head/SLT for dates of ‘new children visit day’ in summer term and visit of school uniform suppliers to coincide with current pupils’ visit to new classes; developing and organising new events to drive footfall; organising appropriate staff to visit nurseries and other feeder schools. Leading the development of new outreach initiatives (e.g. toddler groups, community workshops, holiday events) to increase brand visibility and feeder arrangements.
* Managing Marketing Budget
* Reporting to Governor: Termly Marketing and Admissions Committee meetings; equipping the Head with all relevant information, updates and statistics required for Full Board meeting; liaising informally with relevant members of the Board
* Line management of Marketing and Admissions team
MEMBER OF SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM (where appropriate depending on candidate expertise)
A member of SLT is expected to attend and participate in all School events and activities. They will take a share of emergency holiday cover (being available through telephone contact), and will normally be expected to be in School for administration, meetings and planning in the two days following the end of term and for two or three days before the INSET days that precede a new term.
Key Responsibilities for SLT:
* Play a major part in the SLT, putting the interests of the whole school first and foremost (i.e. all members of the SLT are there as the SLT, not as ‘representatives’ of one part of the school).
* Follow the Values/Code of Conduct agreed by the SLT.
* Be available for Weekly SLT meetings.
* Perform a weekly evening duty until 6pm.
* Attend other committee meetings (Marketing, Academic, Health & Safety, etc.).
* Attend SLT Strategy Day with Governors.
Other Duties
●Act as First Aider
●Staff are expected to carry out other duties as reasonably requested by the Head or the SLT.
●To follow the directions contained in the Staff Handbook, which change from time to time.
For more information and to apply for this role, please download the Application Pack and Application Form which can be found on our website:
The vacancy will close at 12 noon on Wednesday 10 December 2025 and interviews will take place week commencing Monday 15 December 2025.
Please note, The Manor reserves the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is sourced therefore early submission of applications is advised.
Safeguarding
The Manor Preparatory School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility and staff are expected to attend regular training sessions and to follow the school’s safeguarding procedures. The extent of the role responsibilities in relation to safeguarding is explained in the .
Our Safer Recruitment process and procedures are in line with Safer Recruitment requirements and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
We are an equal opportunities employer who welcomes applications from all sections of the community.