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.
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Effective complaining

11/05: 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

04/05: 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

09/03: 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

09/02: 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.

A sense of sameness

02/02: 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.

Putting the Arts into STEM

26/01: Schools are embracing the concept of STEAM – putting the arts into science, technology, engineering and maths. Attain's Editor, Matthew Smith, talked to Fionnuala Kennedy and Claire Boyd of Wimbledon High School GDST to find out more.

Exam uncertainty

19/01: Nobody could have predicted the impact the pandemic would have on exams. Attain's Editor, Matthew Smith, talked to two senior school Heads – Emma Taylor of Dean Close and James Dahl of Wellington College – to understand their hopes and concerns.

Keeping cheerful

13/01: Home schooling is not easy. Attain's Editor, Matthew Smith, talked to two prep school Heads – Tim Smith of Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep and Andy Falconer of St Peter's 8-13 – to get their advice on how to keep cheerful and stay motivated.

One small step

08/01: There has no doubt been a seismic shift in environmental awareness recently. Matthew Smith argues that for independent schools to really lead on environmental awareness, parents will need to play their part.

The value of money

04/09: Society is becoming ever more polarised and parents can find themselves criticised for choosing a private school for their child. Matthew Smith looks at why independent education is seen as buying 'privilege'.