Schools and universities find themselves in the cross-hairs of a range of pressing societal issues. These include navigating the aftermath of the pandemic, dealing with activist movements and responding to changing attitudes in relation to identity and mental health.

In addition to the traditional challenges of supporting young people with their education and learning, schools must also address complex safeguarding issues, diverging attitudes between stakeholder groups and an increasingly polarised media and social media environment.

In managing their day-to-day operations, schools will have to respond to a range of economic and political factors to ensure the long-term viability of their establishments. Among them are cost of living pressures, curriculum and exam reform, pensions, tax and charitable status.

DRD’s specialist team supports leadership teams and governing bodies, ensuring they can handle the specific communications challenges they face, helping clients communicate clearly and effectively with their relevant audiences, and to prepare for reputational issues which might arise.  We have worked with bodies across the education sector, advising from nursery to higher education in both the private and maintained sectors.