The verdict in three sentences
For a British-curriculum prep and senior school in St Helier, the choice is between three options, not two: a Jersey agency, a UK specialist agency that charges for travel, and a remote studio. The island agency wins if you want a regular presence on campus and a partner who knows local families and the finance sector that brings many of them here. The remote studio is the rational choice when the timetable is tight, the photo library exists and the budget has to be approved in one go by the governors.
Three options, which criteria?
| Criterion | Jersey agency | UK specialist agency | Remote studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meetings on campus | Easy, no cost | Flight or ferry, £300 to £600 per trip (ballpark) | Video calls |
| Time zone | Same | Same | Team on GMT: full day in winter, 7 of 8 hours in summer |
| Knowledge of British independent schools | Varies | Often strong | Varies: brief them on entry points and exams |
| Photo and video | Island photographer | Travelling crew or island photographer | Island photographer hired by the school |
| Build price | £6,000 to £20,000 (typical quotes) | £10,000 to £25,000 plus travel | Fixed grid: £2,300, £3,900 or £6,900 |
| Ownership of the .je or .com domain and code | Write it into the contract | Write it into the contract | Write it into the contract |
| Support after launch | Monthly retainer (market) | Monthly retainer (market) | 3 months included, then on quote |
On an island the pool of agencies is small, and the same agency sometimes works for several competing schools: ask directly. A remote studio does not have that issue, but it will not drop by for coffee with the head.
How much over three years?
| Cost item (3 years) | Jersey agency | UK agency | Remote studio (Kolonell Growth) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build | £9,000 to £16,000 | £12,000 to £22,000 | £3,900 |
| Travel (3 visits) | 0 | £900 to £1,800 | 0 |
| Photography (2 days, island rate) | £1,000 to £2,000 | £1,000 to £2,000 | £1,000 to £2,000 |
| Support (market assumption: £100 to £250 a month) | 36 months: £3,600 to £9,000 | 36 months: £3,600 to £9,000 | Months 1 to 3 included; months 4 to 36 on quote (same assumption over 33 months: £3,300 to £8,250) |
| Indicative total | £13,600 to £27,000 | £17,500 to £34,800 | £8,200 to £14,150 |
These are 2026 ballpark figures drawn from typical quotes and public rate pages, not a survey. Links to the school management system, an admissions tool or a parent portal are integrations on quote in every case. Premium (£6,900) is Kolonell's multilingual tier, useful for French- or Portuguese-speaking families, with the number of languages set in the quote. Everything is detailed on the international offer page.
What the site must cover for a prep and senior school
Families moving to Jersey for a role in finance or law often arrive mid-year and look first for the right entry point.
| Entry point | What parents look for | Content to plan |
|---|---|---|
| 4+ and 7+ | Visit, taster day, transition into prep | Visit calendar, short form |
| 11+ | Assessment format, any scholarships | Dates, format, preparation examples |
| 13+ | Move from prep to senior, GCSE choices | Pathway, options, support |
| Sixth form | A levels offered, university guidance | Subject list, entry requirements |
| Mid-year arrival | Places available, curriculum equivalence | Dedicated page for relocating families |
| Re-enrolment | Dates, next year's fees | Reminders and a secure form |
In Jersey, pupil and parent data falls under the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2018, overseen by the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner. Require from both types of provider: forms limited to what is needed, documented hosting and retention periods, a compliant cookie banner, a consent register for pupil photos and a fast removal procedure. For accessibility, target WCAG 2.2 AA with an accessibility statement. This is not legal advice.
When is the island agency the better choice?
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- You want regular coverage of fixtures, concerts and prize-givings, published quickly.
- The project also includes prospectuses, signage and local campaigns.
- The governors want in-person workshops, and the agency does not work for a competing school.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Mark Le Brocq, bursar of a prep and senior school in St Helier, has to approve a new site in early July for the 11+ open evening in early October, 13 weeks away.
- Island agency: £13,500, 10 to 14 weeks of production. At best, live in late September; at worst, after the open evening.
- Remote studio on Growth: £3,900 plus 2 days of a local photographer at £800, so £5,500. With 2 weeks of content gathering then 3 to 4 weeks of production, the site goes live in mid-August, 7 weeks before the open evening.
- Budget gap: 13,500 - 5,500 = £8,000.
Mark chose the remote studio for the timetable as much as the price, and gave the following year's prospectus to the island agency.
FAQ
Does a remote studio understand the British entry point system? Not necessarily at the outset: provide a one-page brief on 4+, 7+, 11+, 13+ and sixth form entry. The native English copywriting included in the Kolonell grid works from that brief.
How long should we plan? 3 to 4 weeks of production with Kolonell from approved content, against 10 to 14 weeks for most agencies running workshops. Add 2 weeks for the school to gather text and photos.
Should we publish fees? Relocating families often compare 2 or 3 schools on the island: a fee table per section, updated once a year, cuts pointless enquiries.
Who should hold the domain name? The school, with at least 2 internal administrators, plus a clause on handing over access and files at the end of the contract.
What does support cost after the 3 included months? At Kolonell it is on quote. In the market, retainers often run £100 to £250 a month depending on update volume.
Let's scope your project. Pages for each entry point, admissions journey, a budget of £2,300 to £6,900 and launch in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.