Alleyn’s School prospectus & admissions guide

The client

Alleyn’s School required a new Senior School prospectus, and admissions guide to reflect updated branding, revised key messaging and the addition of Alleyn’s Oakfield within the wider school group. The project also needed to establish a visual direction that could be developed across future prospectus materials for the Junior School and Oakfield publications.

The brief

The existing prospectus had not been fully updated in around four years and was based on a previous version of the Alleyn’s brand. The new publication needed to support updated messaging, provide clearer admissions information for parents and work across both print and digital formats. Alongside visual impact, the project also needed to balance practicality, sustainability and cost-effectiveness, while creating a prospectus with a longer shelf life than the annually updated admissions materials.

A photo of the North Londoner Magazine on a pallet in The Mailing People factory.

A mock-up of the North Londoner cover and internal spread on a dark blue background.

Our approach

We developed a prospectus system that balanced premium print production, practical functionality and sustainability considerations, while creating a visual direction that could support future publications across the wider Alleyn’s schools’ group.

Alleyn's prospectus central spread showing the singer sewn binding.

One family, three schools

We developed a connected design system for Alleyn’s Senior School, Alleyn’s Junior School and Alleyn’s Oakfield. The layouts and visual language created continuity across the publications while supporting the individual Discover, Grow and Thrive messaging for each school.

The Prospectus with the foiled admissions guide inserted into the front

Selecting the right stock

To deliver on the sustainable needs of the client we chose a smooth uncoated FSC Mix Credit stock, Vision Superior, that provided a bright white finish. We selected this stock to balance sustainability, print quality and cost-effectiveness.

A photo showing capacity pocket that holds the admissions guide within the prospectus.

Waste-conscious format

The final 245mm × 172mm format was selected to reduce paper waste during production while meeting the requirement for a smaller-than-A4 prospectus. The compact size also made the publication more practical to carry and store at open day events.

An up-close photo showing the singer sewn binding.

Binding with longevity

We explored both saddle stitched and singer sewn binding options to balance durability, sustainability and finish. Coloured staples were proposed to retain a premium appearance while reducing the material and energy requirements associated with perfect binding.

An up close shot showing the foiled admissions guide.

Print finishing with purpose

The finishing specification was designed to add visual impact while supporting the overall construction of the publication. A bespoke die-cut front cover introduced an additional layer of depth and interaction.

Foiling was used to create contrast and definition across the covers, combining a mirrored blue-tint foil with a more subtle white foil finish. The combination added a premium visual detail while working alongside the uncoated stock to maintain a clean and balanced finish across the prospectus family.

Throughout development, stock samples, foil references, blind paper dummies and production prototypes were produced to refine the final specification, cover construction and finishing details before print. Foil and stock samples were also supplied to the client for review during the development process.

A photo of the prospectus and admissions guide

Results & next steps

The project delivered a connected family of prospectus and admissions materials for Alleyn’s Senior School, Alleyn’s Junior School and Alleyn’s Oakfield. The response to the prospectus has been strong, with the final publications bringing together updated messaging and detailed production finishes.

We will continue our long term relationship with Alleyn’s, supporting the ongoing development of future prospectus and admissions materials, including rolling the visual approach developed for the Senior School prospectus and admissions guide across future Junior School and Oakfield publications.

Discuss Your Next Prospectus

Our work in action

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North London Collegiate School

Creative and digital support for North London Collegiate School, from magazine design to campaign materials connecting students, alumni and supporters.

Create a prospectus that leaves a lasting impression

If your prospectus plays a key role in attracting prospective families and supporting admissions conversations, we can help. From developing clear content structures and distinctive visual identities to selecting the right print finishes and production techniques, we create prospectuses that feel engaging, premium and built around the parent journey.

Let’s create a prospectus that reflects your school at its very best.

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