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AQUILA Magazine is owned and run by New Leaf Publishing Ltd, a small independent publishing house situated in the coastal town of Eastbourne in East Sussex, England.
The development of a unique magazine
Originally funded by a large international educational publishing company, AQUILA was the brainchild of educational specialists working with gifted children. However the original project did not generate sufficient profits to satisfy a large corporation. A group of committed individuals, already involved in the production as designers, writers and editors felt the magazine was a project worth sustaining, and formed the independent company New Leaf Publishing Ltd to produce AQUILA, making the magazine a truly independent publication.
The company ethos
AQUILA does not answer to corporate business interests or carry commercial advertising, although we will sometimes include inserts or recommend things which we believe to be suitable or beneficial to this age group.
During 14 years of publication, we have seen several other magazines aimed at this age group start-up and fail. As a small independent publication, AQUILA has survived by recognising its unique position in the marketplace. Large funds are not available to lavish on free gifts and other marketing gimicks to attract children. All production costs must be carefully considered. We believe the magazine’s small scale is its main strength; it is able to be responsive to its audience, to give excellent personal service to customers and readers. The staff constitute a small multi-tasking team where everyone has the chance to input their ideas and act independently too.
What does AQUILA offer children?
AQUILA's independent stance allows a different perspective on many subjects and offers a real service to families that wish to nurture values which, perhaps, go against the tide in today’s media dominated world. It is not restricted or limited by school curriculum requirements, and, like a concerned parent, aims to provide quality ideals and to encourage children to develop caring and thoughtful attitudes towards others and their environment. We are not aware of any other U.K. children’s publication at present that has these aims.
Kids rule!
Youngsters are not afraid to pick up a pen and write to us on any subject. The editorial tone is gentle, yet enthused. Unlike other magazines aimed at this age group, readers do not feel the pressure to be older than their years (although they do like to show us their best work!). The letters pages are an excellent forum for youngsters – and our readers can get a bit argumentative on these pages! It is good to know that children have strong opinions and are willing to support them.
Aiming high – recognition for AQUILA
AQUILA believes that all children have brilliance and multiple intelligences that can be developed. It aims to encourage high achievement by offering a mixture of extension material – encouraging broader views rather than specialisation. Youngsters can discover their own individual pathways and become self motivated and creative learners, drawing on many influences along the way.
AQUILA is recommended by many support societies, such as the National Association for Gifted Children, and described as ‘the best enrichment material available for the able child’ by Professor Joan Freeman - praise and recognition indeed.
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