Schools are lucrative area for editorial agency

The department, which was established as a separate business within the group in 2008, currently has a turnover of almost 800,000 but this year it appointed a new head of education, Leah Newby, and three new members of staff, to spearhead its growth.

In the last year, the team of 12 education specialists has produced prospectuses, news magazines and display material for a number of schools. One of its proudest achievements was winning a Communicators in Business award for its work with Boston Spa School on its sixth form prospectus.

Another project the education team has been involved in is working with optician Specsavers on an education campaign to raise awareness of optometry as a career choice among 14-19 year olds.

Miss Newby said: "Working with young people, we've co-developed an impressive campaign called "Specsavers Schools Stars" which features young optometrists and their hobbies."

The campaign, which is being launched in schools this month, includes a "pop-out" brochure, an interactive digital game and display material to raise aspirations of young people.

The education department accounts for about a third of the wider Words and Pictures team and is a growing part of the Otley-based company.

Despite recessionary pressures faced by education organisations, Miss Newby believes clients still need to promote themselves.

She said: "We've got some stretching targets but with new opportunities and exciting new offers we've been developing for city academies, primary schools, cross-over projects with schools and companies, plus new work in universities, the future's looking good for us.

She added: "What's fascinating now is that as we've gained considerable experience in communicating with young people in recent years, this

is something that commercial clients can benefit from, in terms of understanding what influences choice in young consumers."