Website Redesign Checklist for Schools and Academies

Redesigning a school website is a significant project. Whether your current website feels outdated, is difficult to manage or no longer reflects your school, a successful redesign requires more than simply choosing a new look. The best school websites are carefully planned to support communication, improve user experience and meet the needs of parents, pupils, staff and inspectors.

This checklist will help you plan a successful website project and ensure nothing important is overlooked along the way.

Start by Reviewing Your Current School Website

Before thinking about layouts or new features, take time to assess your existing website. Consider what is working well and what could be improved. Speak to staff, parents and governors where appropriate, as they often provide valuable insight into how the website is used on a day-to-day basis. Questions to ask include:

-Is information easy to find?
-Is the website easy to update?
-Does it work well on mobile devices?
-Are there pages that are outdated or no longer needed?
-Does the website reflect the school’s current values and vision?

Carrying out a structured review helps identify priorities before the redesign begins.

Review Compliance Requirements

A school website redesign provides the ideal opportunity to ensure your website is fully compliant. Check that all statutory information is present, policies are up to date and key information is easy to access. It is much easier to build compliance into a new website than to add it afterwards. The Department for Education guidance on what schools must publish online provides a useful checklist for maintained schools, while academies should also review the relevant trust requirements.

Think About Your Users

One of the biggest mistakes schools make is designing a website around internal structures rather than user needs. Different audiences visit your website for different reasons. Parents may be looking for term dates, policies or newsletters. Prospective families want to understand your ethos, curriculum and learning environment. Staff may need access to vacancies, while governors require governance information. Planning these user journeys before design work begins helps create a website that feels intuitive and easy to navigate.

Plan Professional School Photography

Photography has a huge influence on first impressions. Authentic images of pupils, learning environments and school life help parents connect with your school long before they visit. If your current photography is several years old, a website redesign is the ideal opportunity to refresh your image library. Professional photography can then be used across your website, prospectus, social media and wider marketing materials.

Consider Accessibility From the Start

Accessibility should never be an afterthought. A modern school website should be easy for everyone to use, regardless of ability or device. This includes clear navigation, readable text, meaningful headings, appropriate colour contrast and accessible documents. The government’s accessibility requirements for public sector websites and mobile applications provide useful guidance when planning your new website.

Choose a Custom CMS for Schools 

Launching the website is only the beginning. Consider who will be responsible for updating content, adding news stories and maintaining information after the website goes live. A simple content management system, staff training and ongoing technical support will help ensure your website continues to evolve with your school.

Create a Joined-Up Communication Strategy

Your website should not exist in isolation. Think about how it connects with your prospectus, branding, photography, signage and social media. When these elements work together, they create a consistent experience for prospective families and reinforce your school’s identity. If you’re reviewing multiple communication materials, our article on How School Marketing Has Changed (And What Works Today) explores how schools are creating more joined-up communication strategies.

Choose the Right Website Partner

Selecting the right agency is just as important as defining the project itself. Look for a partner with experience in education who understands school communication, compliance, accessibility and admissions. Ask to see examples of previous projects and discuss how the website will continue to be supported after launch. Our Education Website Projects showcase how we’ve worked with schools, academies and trusts to create bespoke websites that are easy to manage and built for long-term success.

A Successful School Website Starts With Good Planning

A website redesign is an opportunity to do far more than improve appearance. It allows schools to strengthen communication, improve accessibility, simplify content management and create a better experience for parents, pupils and prospective families. By taking time to plan carefully, review existing content and focus on the needs of your users, you can create a website that supports your school for many years to come.