Bolton College Communications Strategy

Part of the University of Greater Manchester Group

B O LTO N CO L L EG E CO M M U N I C AT I O N S T R AT EGY 2025-26

Purpose This communication strategy is designed to make all communication across Bolton College - internal and external—timely, clear, consistent, and purposeful. Our aim is to reduce message overload, eliminate duplication, and ensure that every message is relevant, recognisable, and aligned with the College’s values and priorities.

By streamlining how we share information, we will: • • •

Keep team members informed and engaged without overwhelming them.

Ensure learners receive timely, accurate updates that support their success.

Provide stakeholders with clear, consistent messaging that reflects our professionalism and vision.

Every communication should actively support Bolton College’s vision and strategic priorities. This strategy reflects our commitment to: •

Empowering team members and learners with the information they need to succeed.

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Building a culture of transparency and collaboration across the College.

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Strengthening the College’s reputation as an inclusive, innovative, and high-performing organisation.

Ownership & Governance The Executive Director of Strategy and Growth is the strategic owner of this strategy, ensuring alignment with the College’s Strategic Plan 2025–2030. The Director of Communications, Student Recruitment & Marketing leads implementation, supported by the Marketing Team and Vision Ambassadors. Progress is reported to the Executive Team and Governors.

Strategic Objectives •

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Elevate and Protect the College’s Reputation Showcase achievements, innovation, and impact to position Bolton College as a sector leader through storytelling, media engagement, and thought leadership.

Empower Team Members, Learners, and Stakeholders Share clear, timely information that supports effective working, learning, and collaboration across the College and with partners.

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Support Learner Experience Communicate updates that help learners feel informed, supported, and engaged throughout their journey.

Promote Transparency and Collaboration Ensure information flows effectively between departments, services, curriculum areas, and external partners to reduce duplication and improve alignment.

Strengthen Partnerships Provide consistent, professional messaging to employers, community partners, and stakeholders, and use feedback to improve relevance.

Embed the College Vision Reinforce work ready, world ready, future ready in all communications internally and externally.

By using the matrix on page 3, Bolton College ensures that every stakeholder group receives targeted, consistent, and aligned communication through the most effective channels. This approach helps us match each audience - learners, team members, employers, parents/carers, and the wider sector - to the platforms and methods that best reach and engage them, supporting our vision and strategic priorities.

Tone of Voice & Brand Integration All communications will reflect the College’s tone: confident, inclusive, aspirational, and learner-first.

Messaging will be clear, consistent, and aligned with the College’s visual identity, including logo, colour palette, and accessibility standards.

Campaign Planning & Crisis Communication Strategic campaigns (e.g. enrolment, employer engagement) will be planned annually with cross-channel coordination. The Critical Incidents Plan will guide urgent responses, including escalation procedures and designated spokespeople.

In the event of a cyber security incident, IT Services may issue urgent internal communications directly to team members where immediate action is required. This enables timely warnings and guidance to reduce the risk of malicious emails, links, or attachments being accessed. The Communications Team and Executive Team will be informed as soon as practicable.

Stakeholder & Channel Matrix Stakeholder Group

Owned Channels

Earned Channels

Paid Channels

Partnered Channels

Learners & Prospective Learners

Website, portal, email, Student testimonials, signage, social media awards

Social media ads, campaigns, radio

Schools, youth orgs

Team members & Governors

Intranet, briefings, newsletters, social media

Staff features, sector awards

Recruitment ads

Union bulletins, networks

Employers & Industry

Website, employer newsletters, events, social media

Business press, testimonials

Social media ads, radio, sponsorships

Chambers, employer networks

Parents/Carers & Community

Website, open days, newsletters, events, portal, social media

Local news, community awards

Social media ads, radio, local press ads

Community groups, councils

Wider Sector & Media

Website, press releases, website, social media

National media, sector journals

Sponsored content

GMCA, FE/HE partners

Training & Capacity Building All team membersf will receive training on communication standards, branding, and strategic messaging. Vision Ambassadors will be supported to champion the College’s vision and reputation across platforms.

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Ensure this item is considered during agenda planning.

Review whether any outcomes or decisions need to be communicated to other teams or individuals.

If cascading is required, assign responsibility and set a communication deadline.

Record this in the meeting actions log.

Internal Communications

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Effective internal communication is essential to ensure that all team members are informed, aligned, and empowered to act on strategic priorities. Bolton College is committed to improving internal communications through structured, consistent, and transparent practices.

Example initiatives include: • Principal’s Monthly Updates: A regular briefing to all team membersf highlighting strategic developments, achievements, and upcoming priorities.

• Wednesday Team Meetings: Weekly meetings across curriculum and business areas to share updates, reinforce strategic messaging, and foster collaboration.

Summary

To strengthen internal communication and ensure timely dissemination of key updates, it is an expectation that all formal meetings across Bolton College will include a standard agenda item:

This strategy ensures that every communication - internal and external - actively supports Bolton College’s vision and strategic priorities, with a strong focus on clarity, consistency, and impact.

All team members are empowered and supported to be ambassadors of the College’s vision, and communications will be measured against clear, aligned targets to ensure effectiveness and accountability.

The College Communications Guidelines (add link) set out the process and standards for requesting, approving, and distributing communications for team members, learners, and stakeholders, ensuring that every message is professional, consistent, and aligned with the College’s brand and strategic objectives.

‘Information to be cascaded’.

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Part of the University of Greater Manchester Group

Bolton College, Deane Road, Bolton, BL3 5BG • 01204 482 000 info@boltoncc.ac.uk • www.boltoncollege.ac.uk /bolton-college

/boltoncollege

@boltoncollege

/boltoncollege