Creating a school magazine is more than a term-end task or a student project – it’s a chance to celebrate community, showcase achievements, and build school spirit. Whether you’re highlighting academic milestones, sharing student stories or presenting creative writing and artwork, a school magazine brings it all together in one polished publication.
At Datum, we bring over 30 years of experience in publication design, print, and digital production. We’ve partnered with leading schools and academies to produce standout magazines that reflect each school’s unique identity. In this blog, we walk you through the A–Z of creating your school magazine, and why working with Datum turns what can feel like a complex project into a breeze.
A is for Audience
Knowing your audience helps shape everything from tone of voice to layout. Is your magazine aimed at students, parents, alumni, or prospective families? Datum helps define this in the early briefing stages.
B is for Branding
Consistency with your school’s brand is essential. We ensure that every edition aligns with your colours, fonts, logos and visual identity. A strong brand helps your school magazine feel professional and cohesive.
C is for Content
From student features and staff interviews to club highlights and term reviews, content is king. Datum offers content planning support and editorial guidance to keep your messaging sharp and on-brand.
D is for Design
Our experienced creative team will design your magazine with care and impact. Whether you’re looking for something traditional or modern, we’ll produce layouts that are both engaging and easy to navigate.
E is for Editing
Clean, error-free copy is a must. We offer proofreading and editing support, ensuring your school magazine reads as well as it looks.
F is for Format
Will your school magazine be printed, digital, or both? We provide solutions for all formats — printed copies for handouts and digital editions for your website, social media or email newsletters.
G is for Guidelines
We work within your school’s visual and editorial guidelines or help create them if they don’t exist. This ensures consistency over time.
H is for Headings
Well-structured headings make your magazine easy to browse. We use smart typographic hierarchy to improve readability.
I is for Imagery
Good photography brings your stories to life. We can work with your existing images or help source visuals that enhance your school magazine.
J is for Journey
Your reader’s journey matters. We plan magazine flow to ensure features, highlights, and important information are spaced appropriately.
K is for Knowledge
Our team understands what works. We know what gets read, what keeps interest, and what builds your school’s reputation.
L is for Layout
Great design is about balance. We design layouts that give breathing room to text, spotlight key stories and maintain a visual rhythm.
M is for Management
Publication projects can feel overwhelming, but with Datum’s project management support, deadlines are met, and processes are streamlined.
N is for Narrative
A great school magazine tells a story. We help you develop a narrative arc for each edition, tying content together with purpose and clarity.
O is for Output
We can print your magazine on high-quality stock with a range of finishes or create an interactive digital edition with page flips and embedded media.
P is for Proofs
We provide digital proofs at every stage, so you stay in control. Nothing goes to print or live until you give full approval.
Q is for Quality
Whether printed or digital, the final result is always top-tier. Datum follows ISO 9001 standards to ensure exceptional quality.
R is for Retainer
Many of our education clients work with us on a retainer basis, ensuring consistency and priority scheduling for each edition throughout the year.
S is for Sustainability
We use eco-friendly print methods and advise on sustainable paper stocks, supporting your school’s environmental goals.
T is for Templates
Want to do some of the work in-house? We can provide editable magazine templates that your team can update each term.
U is for Updates
We keep your editions on schedule. With our studio support, there’s always someone available to make updates, tweaks, or last-minute additions.
V is for Visual Identity
We help evolve your school’s visual identity over time, refreshing the magazine’s look while maintaining continuity.
W is for Web Ready
Every digital edition we produce is optimised for online use — easy to read on desktop, mobile, or tablet.
X is for (E)Xperience
We’ve produced school publications for decades. From grammar schools to academies, our experience means less stress for your internal team.
Y is for You
Every school is different. We listen closely to your needs and tailor every element of the project to reflect your values and goals.
Z is for Zero Hassle
From kick-off meeting to delivery, working with Datum means no faff, no stress, just results.
Whether you’re planning your first edition or looking to refresh a long-standing school magazine, Datum is ready to support you with our full-service offering across design, print, and digital. Let’s bring your school’s stories to life.
