Are you a talented writer with a soft spot for schools?
The Good Schools Guide is on the look-out for skilled writers with a keen interest in schools, a knowledge of their local educational landscape and an impeccable grasp of written English.
Ideal candidates will have a current understanding of schools in either, or both, the state maintained and private sectors, a great turn of phrase, a sharp wit, and be willing to commit to reviewing a minimum of six schools a year. School visits happen during term time and reviews take, on average, between two and five days to research and write, depending on the type of school. We’re particularly keen to attract writers from diverse ethnicities and backgrounds.
Underpinning every one of our school reviews is a tried and tested methodical approach involving background research, a school visit, meeting staff and pupils as well as interviewing parents. Our writers, who come from the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, have a wide range of backgrounds and include former teachers, journalists, marketeers, lawyers and accountants. Nearly all are parents themselves. Please note that to ensure our critical distance we are not able to employ writers who currently work within, or are directly affiliated to, schools.
We pay per review on a sliding scale starting at £420 for a small junior school; travel expenses are reimbursed. Training/mentoring is provided for all new writers.
Uniquely and unlike any other school guide, The Good Schools Guide is totally independent. We choose which schools to include (or not) and we do not charge schools for our reviews. Once a review is published schools can, if they wish, buy a licence to reproduce their write up. This gives our writers the freedom to be totally candid and it’s why we are so trusted by parents.
The Good Schools Guide began life in the early 1980s when two journalists, both with young children, found that no publication satisfied their appetite for candid and impartial reviews of schools. They swiftly found that this demand was shared by a great many parents and decided to fill the gap in the market. Over the following few years, along with a small band of likeminded writers, they taught themselves the ins and outs of British schools. Not only did the early contributors to The Good Schools Guide develop a finely-tuned understanding of what constituted a ‘good’ school, they also studied admissions and selection procedures, sussed out education trends (and fads) and got to the bottom of what parents really want to know about a prospective school for their child. Much has changed in education over the last 30 years but our founding principles and commitment to providing parents with truthful and informative school reviews remain the same. If you too are intrigued by these topics, why not get in touch?
In the first instance, please send us an email introducing yourself, explaining why you fit the bill and include your CV. Tell us about the parts of the country you know well or if you have any particular education interests such as boarding or Special Educational Needs.
We are especially keen to hear from writers in the following regions: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridge, Cumbria, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, East Midlands, Kent, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, The North West, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex and Yorkshire.
Here are some examples of recent school reviews:
The Charter School North Dulwich
We look forward to hearing from you.