Matthew Smith

Whether you are looking for an independent school for your child or just keen to keep up-to-date with news and thinking about private schools, Attain covers all aspects.

Being authentic

For a news story to be brilliant, it needs to have certain ingredients. But what does it need? Attain's Editor, Matthew Smith, has put together a checklist to help, conveniently linked against a memorable word... authentic.

News should always be fresh – and definitely newsworthy.

Is your school newsworthy?

Schools can be a wonderful source of news but not all stories are newsworthy. Too often, schools rush to send out a story without seeming to think about the audience. Attain's Editor, Matthew Smith, looks at the distinction between 'story-telling' and news and why their objectives rarely align.

Is the over-enthusiastic hand of marketing damaging school news?

Is school news dead?

Attain's Editor, Matthew Smith, reflects on the unhelpful influence of marketing on school news stories. As some schools attempt to produce more and more content, they risk losing any semblance of journalistic quality. Is it time for schools to decide that less can actually be more?

Effective complaining

It is a rare parent who never needs to complain. So how can you complain in a way which is constructive for everyone – parents, pupils and teachers? Attain's Editor talked to Jeremy Banks of Caldicott and Claire Belk of Bellan House, Oswestry School.

Great expeditions

Many parents look back on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme with fond memories of expeditions beset by mishaps. As society emerges from the pandemic, the unique and very valuable skills DofE teaches pupils have never been more important.

Reforming GCSE

Much has changed since the 1980s when GCSEs were first introduced. Despite various reforms, some Heads feel it's time for more radical change. Attain's Editor talked to Sarah Fletcher, High Mistress of St Paul's Girls' School and Stephen Jones, Warden of St Edward's School in Oxford.

Taking the anxiety out of uncertainty

There is little at present about which we can be certain – except more uncertainty – and this has a big effect on anxiety. Attain's Editor talked to Mark English, Vice Master at University College School and Emma Goldsmith, Head of Winchester House School.

A sense of sameness

Monotony is a common feeling during lockdown. What effect is this having on parents and pupils – and how can we improve this? Attain's Editor talked to Emma Hattersley, Head of Godolphin School and Gareth Jones, Head of St Andrew's Prep Eastbourne.

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