Manor House School ready to host 'live' guided virtual school tours in lockdown

In what is usually known as School 'Open Day' season, schools are increasingly looking at new ways in which to enable families to find out more about them when on-site visits are impossible. New live guided technology is leading the way.

The Autumn term is usually the season of on-site school open mornings. Traditionally, parents with children of all ages, can be found touring an array of Schools and local Sixth Forms or Colleges, compiling a short-list and making decisions on which school to apply. Manor House School in Bookham, Surrey - like many independent and state schools alike, has, at times, had to adapt at short notice to the constantly evolving local or national restrictions put in place since March and re-assess how interested families can view the School.

It became evident earlier in the Autumn term that the Winter could be a challenging time for school visits with regional restrictions increasing. Manor House wished to ensure that it could still show off the school to interested families in the event of a second national lockdown. With this in mind, the School investigated a series of virtual tour options and decided to invest in the latest Live Guided Viewing Technology alongside a new state-of-the-art Virtual Tour. LGV means that not only can 'visitors' go online to tour the School themselves, but they can also book an appointment to have a member of the admissions team join them 'live' on the virtual tour to guide them. Both parties are able to chat and discuss the facilities, entry year and school provision in each subject, and other staff members are able to join online too. The School is already booking up tours during November and group and individual bookings can be accommodated.

One family said; "We were really looking forward to an on-site tour at Manor House and were disappointed when the second lockdown was announced. However, when the admissions team rang to say that they could do a 'live' guided tour instead where we could chat and find out more in a 'face to face' meeting, we were delighted and it worked really well. We were able to get a feel for the site and learn more about the ethos and school provision, with access to sounds, screen imagery and video content as well."

Mary Fowell, Director of Marketing said; "The technology is proving invaluable as we begin our second lockdown with the ability to 'meet' parents online and conduct a virtual reality tour. It is also a sound investment for the future to enable families that are relocating or overseas to see the school. The tour is live on our homepage but also on our VOD hub at https://www.manorhouseschool.org/virtual-open-day/"

Headteacher, Ms Tracey Fantham, said; "It is more important than ever in these challenging times to assess the technologies available and look at different ways in which we can adapt in order to show the school facilities and teaching provision. All our staff continue to adapt extremely well and learn new technologies. Our teaching staff are constantly thinking up more creative ways to teach girls in readiness for any future lockdown, so that we stay ahead of the game. We remain ready to transition to full virtual learning at any future stage."