Watford Grammar School for Girls, an outstanding state school in Hertfordshire in the UK, has summed up the answer to the question ‘What does it mean to be Watford Girl?’ in two words; Opportunity and Friendship. This year, as community ties are tested, Watford Grammar School for Girls is proving that it stays true to this approach through thick and thin as it continues to support its recent leavers and alumnae, from afar.
 

Growing engagement in their buzzing alumnae community

"We have seen our membership grow considerably,” Michele Humberstone, Alumnae Manager, said. “It has also been great to see the growing interaction and engagement of our alumnae and particularly satisfying to witness the rise in membership that posting a news story can generate.”

Powered by ToucanTech, Watford Girls promptly sent out a farewell email to all leavers with a link to register to their alumnae site, which encouraged students to sign up in order to stay in touch. They used a visually-engaging email template, and then added a personal touch through compelling messages, photos and videos from teachers, resulting in a high level of email engagement.

Highest sign up rate to their alumnae site in years

123 students out of 140 (88%) have already signed up - their highest sign up rate to the site since 2017 -  and once registered students could be added to their ‘Class of 2020’ group to share posts with their cohort. A news article was posted by the school to the group, which welcomed its 2020 leavers to the new club, introducing them to a space that will be theirs to share memories for years to come.

2020 leavers have already started to make their mark in the online community, by submitting articles which can help support themselves and their peers, while also receiving regular updates from the school regarding end of term celebrations and activities. In short, Watford Girls has taken every opportunity to extend the hand of friendship to a year group that otherwise could feel isolated from one another, and provide lots of opportunities to keep connected with one another. 

Watford Girls has been delighted by the increased interaction and engagement in their alumnae through their community site, and their membership has grown considerably over time. Now that its class of 2020 are beginning their own journeys as alumnae, Watford Grammar have taken the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the value of being part of a vibrant community that will support them as they take their next steps. 

Get in touch to find out how a community site can help to engage your alumni, or read on for another example of how to engage with the Class of 2020