Behind the Scenes of a School Recruitment Video
When people watch a finished school recruitment video, they often see confident staff interviews, engaging classroom footage and a polished final production.
What they rarely see is the planning, preparation and collaboration that takes place behind the scenes to create content that genuinely reflects the culture of a school.
Recently, I have been working with schools to create recruitment videos designed to support staff recruitment and help prospective applicants understand what it is really like to work within the school community.
Starting With the Right Questions
Every recruitment video begins with a conversation.
Before any filming takes place, it is important to understand:
• The school's strengths
• Recruitment challenges
• The roles being advertised
• The audience being targeted
• Key messages the school wants to communicate
This helps ensure the final video feels authentic rather than simply promotional.
Capturing Genuine Staff Experiences
The most effective recruitment videos are built around real people.
Current teachers, support staff and leaders often provide the most powerful insights because they can speak honestly about their experiences.
Rather than relying on scripts, interviews are usually structured around simple questions that encourage natural conversation and authentic responses.
Showcasing School Culture
Alongside interviews, filming focuses on capturing the day-to-day life of the school.
This may include:
• Classroom learning
• Staff collaboration
• Enrichment activities
• Pastoral support
• Leadership interaction
• Wider school life
These visual moments help prospective applicants understand the atmosphere and culture that exist beyond the job description.
Creating a Recruitment Tool
The finished video can then be used across:
• School websites
• MyNewTerm vacancies
• Trust websites
• Social media
• Recruitment campaigns
By combining authentic staff voices with professional videography, recruitment videos help schools tell a more complete story about what makes them a great place to work.
As recruitment continues to be a challenge for many schools, these videos are becoming an increasingly valuable way to connect with potential applicants and stand out in a competitive market.
