A conversation with Elly Taylor, Academic Registrar at the RCA
When the Royal College of Music (RCM) began exploring a new Student Information System, we knew from the very first conversations that this was more than a technology project, it was an opportunity to support a specialist institution seeking to modernise, simplify and elevate the student experience.
The RCM had a clear vision from the start, Elly Taylor, Academic Registrar shared:
“This strategic move aligns with the RCM’s commitment to modernising student administration, streamlining processes, and enhancing the overall student experience.”
And when we learned more about their challenges, we understood exactly why this change mattered.
Elly captured the situation honestly:
“The existing product was coming to end of life in terms of functionality, its look and feel, and our aspirations as an institution - we wanted to provide a better, more self-directed service for students and improve their experience.”
The RCM also carried the reality faced by many specialist institutions:
“As a small specialist institution, we didn’t have an expansive budget for this project and we also didn’t have an expansive team of people to support, it either from an implementation perspective or on an ongoing basis.”
For us, this made the partnership even more important. RCM needed a team that would work alongside them, not at them.
A Refreshing Introduction to Each Other
During their market exploration, RCM described Thesis SM as “the surprise package”, something that still makes us smile.
“The experience of that initial phase where we were really exploring the market was hugely refreshing. There was an honesty about functionality that was just out of the oven. We saw things that really enabled us to envisage what the new world could be like.”
That honesty is something we care deeply about. We don’t oversell, and we don’t hide work-in-progress. We build trust by being open, and it meant a lot that RCM felt that from the very beginning.
Building Confidence Through People
For the RCM, knowing who they were working with mattered. For us, it always does.
“The attitude and responsiveness of the sales team gave us confidence. The same people who did the demos are now part of our implementation team, that continuity is really, really important.”
Continuity is a big part of how we work, no handovers to strangers, no disappearing act after a demo. Just the same humans, walking the journey with you.
Their team also highlighted something that reflects how we aim to show up:
“Everything we needed was literally a phone call away. All members of the team were really responsive.”
Being reachable and responsive is a simple thing, but it changes everything in a project like this.
Starting the Project Together
New system projects can feel scary, and the RCM were honest about that. So, our role was to make the process feel safe, structured and achievable.
“Embarking on this journey felt intimidating, but we felt well supported. The iterative data migration model seemed really sensible, the team avoided technical jargon, which really helped our largely non-technical team.”
We take pride in avoiding jargon and explaining things in a way that feels human and digestible. And our modular approach is designed to keep the work steady and manageable:
“The modular approach makes the project feel more achievable and the project documentation was consistent and thorough.’’
One of the areas where our working styles clicked most naturally was in the way we delivered workshops:
“The bite-sized delivery of workshops has been far better than long consultancy days. It allows the team to digest, reflect, and engage more fully.”
This kind of rhythm is exactly how we like to work: step by step, respectfully, collaboratively.
Seeing the Partnership Take Shape
As the project progresses with its implementation phase, something important happened, RCM didn’t just see a product evolving, they saw us evolving with them.
Elly’s reflection has stayed with our whole team:
“Quality of the experience has been maintained through the communications, the support and the implementation team. Not only was the talk talked, but the walk is being walked! We are living the experience of a totally transformed company. There was scope for growing with the company in the direction that the sector would wish to go in. What was excellent was the level of engagement from the very senior executive.’’
She further reflected on the organisation’s approach, noting that:
“Thesis SM offers a refreshing, forward-thinking approach that meets modern student demands. It aligns with our aspirations and the expectations of today's students, providing innovative, flexible technology that will enhance our student experience.”
For us, this captures exactly what partnership means, working in a way that allows our clients to feel confident, supported and seen.
A Forward-Focused Relationship
RCM’s decision to implement Thesis SM reflects its commitment to innovation and excellence. For us, it reflects something just as important: the trust they placed in our team, our approach and our ability to support their vision.
As we continue this journey, we follow Thesis’ Higher Education Model (HEM) framework, our iterative implementation method that builds with the institution and tailors the deployment to the strategic priorities of our client focusing on clear communication, steady collaboration and working in a way that respects the size and specialist nature of our clients.
RCM’s experience shows what can happen when two teams come together with shared purpose and a willingness to work openly and honestly.
Our CEO, Louise Thorpe adds:
“At Thesis SM, it is important that the promises of partnership made during the sales cycle are fully realised in the implementation phase and beyond. The partnership between SIS provider and client is for the long-term, and I firmly believe that it is essential for this to be a genuinely positive, collaborative working relationship. I am proud of my team and delighted that our clients at RCM feel those sentiments on a daily basis. Our commitment is not just to deliver a product, but to walk alongside our clients every step of the way, ensuring trust and shared success are at the heart of everything we do.”