Connell Sixth Form College in East Manchester has become the first college to join the Co-op Academies Trust. Now known as Connell Co-op College, it plans to change the lives of thousands of young people across Manchester. Their approach to education is built on the same principles as all co-operatives across the world: Working to empower teachers and young people to work together to create a better school and a better community.
Our brief was to re-invent the college’s digital experience, to tell the Connell story, and increase engagement with potential and existing student groups, along with optimising the application process.
We had great access to student and teacher focus groups to be able to fully understand both the values of the college and how potential students are influenced in the selection of their next step in education after school. The website has a role to play in attracting potential students and it was important we understood the correct medium to communicate – in this instance video.
As part of our discovery phase, we scrutinised the student application process, highlighting where it could be greatly improved both from a usability perspective and administrative time-saving role.
With Phase 1 live and Phase 2 planned for 2020, the feedback from both students, parents and teachers has been unprecedented. The new website reinforces Connel's position as pioneers in the field, focused on providing strong teaching and learning, complemented by outstanding student support. It also supports the brand promise and commitment to being a community united by a desire to make a positive difference to each and every one of its students.
We continue to work with the teams at both Connell and the Co-op Academies Trust to review, monitor and plan to continually keep the website both fresh and working hard.
"The new website reinforces Connel's position as pioneers in the field, focused on providing strong teaching and learning, complemented by outstanding student support. "
