ISBL Symposium (Webinar) - Marketing and Communications - 3rd June 2026

ISBL Marketing and Communications Symposium

Practical strategies to strengthen reputation, engagement and impact

In education, effective communication is more than promotion — it is a strategic leadership tool.

The ISBL Marketing and Communications Symposium has been designed for school business professionals, trust leaders and operational teams who want to build stronger stakeholder engagement, protect organisational reputation and unlock practical ways to communicate with clarity and confidence.

This focused, insight-led symposium will equip you with practical strategies you can apply immediately in your school or trust.

Book your place today and gain the tools, ideas and confidence to lead communications more strategically.

Why attend?

If you are balancing competing priorities, limited time and increasing expectations, this symposium will help you step back and approach marketing and communications with greater structure and purpose.

By attending, you will:

• gain practical insights you can use straight away
• learn how to align communications with organisational priorities
• strengthen stakeholder engagement and reputation
• explore opportunities for fundraising and income generation
• build confidence in responding to crisis communications and media scrutiny

Every session is designed to offer real-world, actionable takeaways for busy school and trust environments.

You will gain insight into:

• Department for Education procurement support, tools and sector opportunities
• Contract negotiation and termination clauses to protect your school
• How to avoid common procurement pitfalls and stay compliant
• Real-life procurement savings without compromising service quality
• What strong procurement partnerships should look like
• Expert panel discussion on current challenges, frameworks and supplier relationships

Event details

Format: Online webinar

Time: 10:00am – 12:20pm

Ticket prices

Members: £80 + VAT

Non-members: £97 + VAT

**What the programme covers - **View Full Programme Here**

The agenda has been designed to give delegates practical, up-to-date guidance that supports both operational delivery and strategic decision-making.

Highlights include:

Noise to Strategy: Building a School Marketing Plan That Drives Results

**Speaker: Justin Smith FISBL, FCMI CMgr, Managing Director, Chameleon Consultancy and Training Ltd *Chameleon Consultancy & Training***

How can schools move beyond ad hoc activity and develop a clear, structured marketing approach?

This session will explore how to build a marketing plan that aligns with organisational priorities, supports stakeholder engagement and protects reputation — with practical ideas that can be implemented immediately in busy school settings.

How to Sweat School Assets

Speaker: Booking Plus

Discover how schools and trusts can make better use of existing assets to create value, maximise opportunities and support wider organisational goals.

Fundraising in Schools

Richard Manville, Managing Director, FundEd

Explore practical approaches to fundraising in education and how schools can think more strategically about generating additional income and support.

Crisis Communications: What To Do When Things Go Wrong

Speaker: PLMR

Schools and trusts can face moments of heightened pressure — from safeguarding concerns and inspection outcomes to operational challenges that attract public or media attention.

This practical workshop will help you prepare for and manage crisis communications effectively, ensuring your messaging remains clear, responsible and aligned to your values.

You will learn how to:

• develop a crisis communication plan
• manage media attention and public scrutiny
• respond with greater confidence in challenging situations

Ask the Experts Panel

Put your questions to a panel of procurement, trust and sector specialists discussing current pressures, legal implementation, supplier performance and commercial decision-making.

Who should attend?

This event is ideal for:

This symposium is ideal for professionals responsible for communication, strategy and operations across schools and trusts, including:

• School Business Leaders (SBLs)
• School Business Managers (SBMs)
• CFOs, COOs and operational leaders
• Trust leadership teams
• Communications and engagement leads

Whether you’re refining your current approach or building a strategy from scratch, this session will give you practical direction and confidence.

Learning outcomes

By attending, delegates will:

• Strengthen understanding of compliant procurement practice
• Improve confidence in contract review and negotiation
• Gain practical tools to reduce risk and improve governance
• Learn how to identify value-driven procurement opportunities
• Explore real examples of effective procurement in action

Book your place

Places are now available for this specialist webinar.

Secure your ticket today and gain the knowledge, tools and sector insight to make smarter procurement decisions for your school or trust.

What makes this symposium valuable?

At ISBL, we help professionals reach their potential, support ambition, and enable colleagues to have the greatest possible impact on their school or trust.

This symposium reflects that commitment by bringing together practical expertise, relevant insight and immediately useful strategies to support your professional development.

You will leave with fresh ideas, greater confidence and practical actions to strengthen communications across your organisation.

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Secure Your Place

Equip yourself with the knowledge and practical tools to lead with confidence.

👉 Book your place today

**Please note that all prices shown are inclusive of VAT.**

**If you are unable to pay by card please email conferences@isbl.org.uk to request an invoice for payment**

**\*\*By proceeding with your booking for this event, please note that our terms and conditions will apply. You can find a copy of these **here.**

Kindly take note that if you plan to book multiple tickets, it is necessary to include the names of all attendees. In case you don't have the necessary details while booking, you can always add them later.