Schools
From enquiry to enrolment: following up properly
Many families who make an enquiry never apply. Some were never going to. Others drift away because nobody followed up well.
The stages
- Enquiry.
- Visit or meeting.
- Application.
- Assessment or interview.
- Offer.
- Acceptance and deposit.
- First day.
Count how many families reach each stage. The stage with the biggest drop is where to start.
Each stage and what helps
| Stage | What the family wants | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Enquiry | A quick, human answer | A reply the same working day, with the fee sheet and a named contact |
| Visit | To see an ordinary day | A tour during lessons and time to ask questions |
| Application | A clear list of what to send | One form, and a checklist of documents |
| Assessment | To know what happens and why | Plain information about what the child will do |
| Offer | A clear decision and deadline | A written offer with the fees and the date to reply |
| Before the first day | To feel expected | Term dates, uniform details and a welcome from the class teacher |
Respond quickly
Reply to every enquiry promptly, ideally on the same working day, with a named person who can answer questions.
Keep track
A simple spreadsheet or a proper admissions system both work, as long as every enquiry is recorded and has a next step and a date.
Ask why
When a family chooses another school, ask them why, politely and briefly. The reasons often point to things you can change, such as fee information or bus routes.
Data protection
Enquiry records contain personal data, often about children. Keep only what you need, keep it secure and delete it when it is no longer needed.