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.

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.

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.

Fresh Thinking was the programme from Attain which looked at topical issues affecting independent schools and parents. It ran for over a year with 35 episodes. The first episode was released on 2nd September 2020 and the final episode broadcast on 20th October 2021.

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.

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?

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.

School inspection reports can seem a little daunting for parents to digest. This probably comes from the fact that they are necessarily detailed and rigorous but this should also provide reassurance that they provide the right set of criteria from which to assess key aspects of a school.

It was vital for parents to email teachers far more than usual during the pandemic. But the volume of messages has not stopped, as Nina Kingsmill Moore, Headmistress of Glendower Preparatory School, explains.

As a result of the pandemic, many people feel unable to look ahead and plan with confidence. But we need to refocus on the present, explains Fionnuala Kennedy, Head of Wimbledon High School GDST, and find the joy in the here and now.