Focus Groups

Today I decided to do some research before starting to take pictures and create my school magazine. Therefore, in order to make a successful school magazine, I had to go and interview different age groups, year 7, sixth form girls and boys, as well as staff. This was to ensure that the information was unbiased, relatable to all age, genders and interests. 

Year 7's (age 12-13):

•  A free gift given away with every magazine e.g. a ticket for free house points or cucina vouchers.
•  Upcoming events on a school calender.
• Teacher profiles, including 'secret' information and jokey comments.
• Information about council meetings.
• Student achievements, and awards e.g. sport P.E student of the month.
• Include a page on the house point and stationary shop.
• After school clubs.
• Revision session timetables.
• Horoscope page.
• Embarrassing moments and confession page.
• Agony aunt/problem page. 
• Canteen menu (telephone number to contribute for new ideas, meal deals etc)
• Released monthly

Staff:

• Targeted at students and parents.
• Include student opinions on topics or upcoming events.
• Achievement page of student's excellent work. 
• Reports from house meetings, inter-house competitions etc.
• Have a constant theme through the magazine.
• School colour scheme throughout.
• Feature articles about life at the school
• Polls to show opinions of the school community.
• Jokes, games and quiz pages.
• Editorial letter in the contents page.
• Comic strip.
• Letters page from students.
• School upcoming event page.
• Split into sections for lower and upper school.
• Local events advertised
• Released termly

Male 6th form members (age 17-18):

• Include more images than text in the overall magazine.
• Variety of colours include, not necessarily following a specific theme.
• Attractive female on the front cover.
• Updated information about the school.
• Exam dates.
• School football team scores/sport competition results.
• Events taking place nearby
• Free vouchers for the school canteen.
• Uni./college open days that might interest them for future carers.
• Letter page written by students.
• Gossip page.
• Reviews on music, DVD's, games, events etc.
• Problem page.
• Cartoon/comic strip.
• Released fortnightly.

Female 6th form members (age 17-18):

• Fashion page.
• Music page.
• Extra curriculum event page.
• Sports page.
• Horoscopes.
• Problem page.
• Profile of the week.
• Exam updates.
• Released Monthly.
• Discount vouchers for school canteen.
• School colours Incorporated.
• Relatable picture.
• Atheistically pleasing on the eye.
• School name and logo.
• Catchy name – NOT SSFG.