What came from the work
- Regular positive newspaper coverage, including front-page stories.
- A visit from Sir Ranulph Fiennes lasting at least two hours, with no appearance fee.
- Sir Ranulph’s agreement to become the school’s honorary lifetime Patron.
Give the community a fuller picture
Chilton Trinity School in Bridgwater had achievements to share. The Purple Sheep helped turn them into a regular stream of positive newspaper stories, including front-page coverage, so that more people could see what was happening inside the school.
The work supported the school’s local reputation by making genuine achievements visible to families and the wider community. A consistent presence in the local press helped tell a fuller story of school life.
The power of making the invitation
Alongside the press work, Shane pursued an ambitious idea: invite explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes to meet pupils and staff. Through persistence and relationship-building, The Purple Sheep secured a visit for which Sir Ranulph generously charged no fee.
He stayed for at least two hours, giving the school community the chance to hear from someone whose life had taken him far beyond the ordinary. It was an experience with value for the people in the room as well as a story worth sharing outside it.
Shane then asked a further question. Would Sir Ranulph consider a lasting connection with the school? He agreed to become its honorary lifetime Patron. An invitation had opened the door to a relationship that reached beyond the visit itself.
The school’s stories continue
Lesley Greenway’s published account on the Good News Post also describes Shane’s role in bringing Sir Ranulph Fiennes to the school and the subsequent patron relationship. It adds a client’s perspective to the story of the visit.
More recent school coverage includes a March 2025 report on a £10,000 grant for a garden project, followed by an October 2026 account of young reporters learning from photographer Jeff Searle. These are later examples of the school’s community storytelling, alongside the earlier reputation campaign described here.
Visibility with something real behind it
The campaign brought together two complementary strands: consistent coverage of school life and an exceptional opportunity for its community. One built familiarity over time; the other gave pupils and staff a memorable experience.
Headteacher Lesley Greenway’s testimonial reflects how quickly she felt the work made an impact. Her emphasis on reliability matters: a creative idea has to be followed through if it is to become something useful for a school.
The wider lesson is to look for connections that serve the community as well as attract attention. A good story has more substance when the experience is worthwhile for the people taking part.
