Key Marketing Times to Schools
September | October | November | December | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August
Timeline
September
- All schools return 4th September
- Academy schools receive new budgets
- Schools are planning for the year
- Probably biggest time for school purchasing
- If you miss September then you’ve missed it! Advertise in September!
October
- Schools closed 22nd – 26th
- Schools know what they need by now
- Actively purchasing
- SEN needs have been assessed
- The TES SEN Show: 5th – 6th
November
- In the buying mood closer to Christmas
- Perceived to be quiet time, less mass marketing going out therfore you stand out
- Sports premium payment date
- The School & Academies Show (Birmingham): 13th-14th Nov
December
- Christmas holidays from 19th (you only have 2 weeks of marketing)
- In the buying mood closer to Christmas
- Perceived to be quiet time, less mass marketing going out therfore teachers have more time
- Planning for January purchasing
January
- Schools return 7th January
- Schools have impetus to make improvements
- Planning for new budget in April
- One of the 3 key buying times
- The Bett Show: 23rd – 26th (ExCel London)
- The Education Show: 24th – 25th (ExCel London)
February
- Schools closed 18th – 22nd
- Schools planning spend for remaining budget
- Planning for new budget in April
- Sports premium payment date
March
- Need to spend remaining budget or lose it
- Planning for new budget in April
- Large focus on revision for SATs and GCSEs
April
- Independent & State schools receive new budgets
- Schools closed 8th – 28th
- Weather is starting to get warmer. Schools will have different requirements
- One of the 3 key buying times
- The Schools & Academies Show (London): 3rd-4th Apr
May
- New budgets are starting to be spent
- Schools closed 27th – 31st
- Weather is much warmer now. Any outdoor equipment will be under heavy use
- Sports premium payment date
June
- Schools prep for September
- Pupil Premium received June 30th
- SATs and GCSEs have ended (mid-June)
- Academy budgets must be spent before Sept
- Secondary Induction days, meet pupils & plan
July
- Last chance for schools to organise summer installs and prep for September
- Actively purchasing. Big Spend for Publishing.
- Summer Holidays begin 19th (2 weeks of marketing)
August
- Actively purchasing. Big Spend for Publishing.
- Scotland returns 14th – start marketing
- Nurseries are still open
- Great time for Data purchases and you should have already planned for September by now