Sparrowhawk Communications

Sparrowhawk Communications operates as a specialised public relations and communications consultancy focused exclusively on the education sector. Founded in 2019 by Jessica Shepherd, the agency is based in , , where it serves a diverse client base spanning the full breadth of education. The agency positions itself as a bridge between educational institutions and their audiences, drawing on deep journalistic experience and public sector communications expertise. In a market where many PR firms offer broad services, Sparrowhawk Communications has carved out a distinct niche by concentrating entirely on education-related clients, from early years to higher education and education technology.

What Sparrowhawk Communications Does

The agency provides a comprehensive suite of communications services tailored to the unique needs of educational organisations. Its core offering includes communications and PR strategy, crisis communications support, media relations, and media training. Sparrowhawk Communications also handles public affairs and campaigns, copywriting, content marketing, and SEO, as well as communications audits and stakeholder research. Speech writing, formal consultations, school prospectus writing and design, and website design and development round out the service list. The agency additionally offers workshops and training in PR and communications, helping clients build in-house capabilities. This breadth of services reflects the understanding that educational institutions require both strategic counsel and hands-on execution, often under tight deadlines and public scrutiny.

Who They Serve

Sparrowhawk Communications works with a wide range of clients, including Multi-Academy Trusts, education technology companies, universities, colleges, household brands, charities, thinktanks, Higher Education membership bodies, and schools in both the state and independent sectors. The agency’s client list is notably diverse, encompassing everything from large university systems to niche edtech startups. This variety is deliberate, as the firm believes that insights from one part of the education sector often translate effectively to another. The agency is particularly well-suited for organisations navigating complex communications challenges, such as Ofsted inspections, university rankings, or the launch of new education technology products.

Expertise and Leadership

The agency’s founder, Jessica Shepherd, brings a rare combination of journalism and in-house communications experience. She spent nearly a decade at the Guardian, primarily as Education Correspondent, and also served as a News Editor. Subsequently, she worked at a senior level in communications for an agency of the Home Office and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. She has been Head of Communications and Campaigns for a national youth charity and Head of Communications (Education & Student Affairs) for University College London. This background gives Sparrowhawk Communications deep connections in national and trade media, strong writing skills for engaging key audiences, and an in-depth knowledge of the education, culture, and sustainability sectors. Shepherd also serves as a trustee of the Education Media Centre and has been a school governor, further grounding the agency in the realities of education policy and practice.

Typical services provided by Sparrowhawk Communications include:

• Communications and PR strategy
• Crisis communications support
• Media relations and media training
• Public affairs and campaigns
• Copywriting, content marketing, and SEO
• Communications audits and stakeholder research
• Speech writing and formal consultations
• School prospectus writing and design
• Website design and development
• Workshops and training in PR and communications

Sparrowhawk Communications is a strong fit for educational institutions and education-facing organisations that need a communications partner with genuine sector expertise. The agency is particularly well-suited for Multi-Academy Trusts managing reputational risk, universities launching new programmes or handling crises, edtech companies entering the UK market, and charities or thinktanks working on education policy. Its combination of journalistic rigour, public sector experience, and hands-on delivery makes it a practical choice for clients who value substance over spin. For any education organisation in or across the UK seeking a PR agency that truly understands the sector, Sparrowhawk Communications offers a focused and experienced alternative to generalist firms.