“My oldest grandson, now 13 loves this, and snatches it up as soon as it arrives. Strangely I got it for my middle grandson now 11 who wasn't interested at all. Henry started reading it two years ago, maybe three. I keep asking if he still wants it, because it is quite an expense, but he loves it.
I do wonder why this newsletter comes to me, because I live in Spain, so wouldn't often have the option to discuss with Henry. I think you should ask who is to get the newsletter, in our case it would be better if my daughter got it.”
Thank you for your review. We’re so happy to hear that your grandson loves First News. The newsletter is sent to the bill payer normally but if you wouldn't mind, send us an email on info@firstnews.co.uk and we can look at options for how your receive this email.
“My son didnt like it all. Such a complicated process to cancel. I was not provided with any account info, unique ID number, or link to cancellation upon subscribing. No start or end date in writing. Contacted customer service but they had already taken the next payment, and they wouldn’t refund, even though not dispatched. Never again. Children haven’t even looked at it.”
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We send a series of welcome emails to all our customers which contains the terms of your subscription, upcoming payments and instructions on how to cancel. Transparency is important to us so we’re sorry if you feel that the terms were not clear. Please can you email us at info@firstnews.co.uk so that we can fully investigate this for you?
“The "simplified" Israel / Hamas on First News verges on being anti-Semitic. War is too serious a topic to ignore important facts and treat as if it's just a minor disagreement between the parties that they should settle through discussion.
Also, a minor point, referring to sub 5 year olds as "kids" is OK but is patronising and not appropriate for older children.”
Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review. First News has been reporting on the news as it happens since 2006 and remains the only national newspaper for children. We are committed to being completely impartial, with no political, cultural, or religious affiliations. Our mission is to be on the side of children, wherever they are in the world, and to give them a voice. Our job in the newspaper is to provide children with factual and accurate news and information so that they can make sense of the world around them and form their own opinions.
We are covering events as they happen with editorial balance and integrity, avoiding overly distressing details and imagery, given the age of our readers. We are responsible in our coverage, prioritising the welfare of our young readers, ensuring that they are informed, but without causing them unnecessary distress, anxiety or alarm.
We are updating First.news/IsraelGaza as new developments take place in the conflict and our hope is that there is a solution for peace in the region, for all children.
First news wants to be the voice of young people and we would never want to patronise our readers. Thank you for raising your concern, which has been shared with our editorial team.
“After years of reading first news I was incredibly disappointed to see the bias in which the Israel/Palestinian conflict and its history was represented, especially after claiming to be an unbiased view. As someone who genuinely tries to present these things from as little bias as possible, it is just plain harmful. Next time, try letting two thoughtful people from different perspectives tell their genuine stories rather than throwing a clearly biased moral authority over it.”
Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review. First News has been reporting on the news as it happens since 2006 and remains the only national newspaper for children. We are committed to being completely impartial, with no political, cultural, or religious affiliations. Our mission is to be on the side of children, wherever they are in the world, and to give them a voice. Our job in the newspaper is to provide children with factual and accurate news and information so that they can make sense of the world around them and form their own opinions.
We are covering events as they happen with editorial balance and integrity, avoiding overly distressing details and imagery, given the age of our readers. We are responsible in our coverage, prioritising the welfare of our young readers, ensuring that they are informed, but without causing them unnecessary distress, anxiety or alarm.
There are, of course, strong feelings and emotions on both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Both Israelis and Palestinians believe fervently in their own narrative and telling of history, going back decades, centuries and even thousands of years. With such a complex history, it stands as probably the most difficult issue to report on in our children’s newspaper, and for many adult media organisations. Explaining such a complex background, knowing that we have readers as young as seven years old, is a continual challenge. We could fill the entire newspaper with accounts of the conflict and its history and, no doubt, both sides would still feel we have left out important details and that crucial nuances need addressing. Please know that we are doing the best we can and that we continually check, and double check, the language we use and the way we report both the developing situation and its history.
We are updating First.news/IsraelGaza as new developments take place in the conflict and our hope is that there is a solution for peace in the region, for all children.
Dear Gordon,
Thank you for your review! With everything we do here at First News, our aim is to open up children’s eyes to the world. We aim to ensure they understand the issues facing them and the news shaping the world they live in. Thank you for your continued support!
“We are an SEN school and we use the First Newspaper as a library resource. We also receive the printable resource.
I asked class teachers for feedback. First News - The students find the text interesting and engage with the activities.
Printable resource - I find the differentiated levels appropriate for my class and the children enjoy the puzzles and crosswords.
We received a prompt and efficient service when we had a delivery problem.”
Thank you for taking the time to send us your feedback!
We're so pleased to hear that your students are taking an interest in current affairs around the world through the Print Newspaper and Engage Printables.
It is important to us that our teachers feel there is an activity available for every student and so it is fantastic to hear that the differentiated levels are useful for you. We hope your students continue to enjoy learning through the weekly puzzles and crosswords.
Our team are always on hand and happy to help so please continue to stay in touch if there is anything we can assist you with in the future 😊
“First News is a lovely, student friendly, newspaper. It is so important for our youngsters to develop their own opinions from unbiased quality sources, rather than social media.
I send a digital copy of First News to all our students each week! We also love getting involved with the paper and I definitely recommend responding to their email about setting up a news club. Lots of opportunities for students come through on the weekly email.
Additional resources to help deliver sensitive information to students e.g. countries at war etc, or to highlight certain issues or celebrate special occasions such as the King's coronation, are top quality too.
Keep up the amazing work you are doing First News!”
Dear Debbie,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We are grateful for your feedback and delighted to hear how First News is positively impacting your pupils. We're glad to know you're enjoying being part of the First News FYI News Club!
The First News FYI News Club provides pupils with an opportunity to develop their communication skills and build their confidence in a social, extra-curricular setting. Discussing the news grows pupils’ understanding of the world around them and gives them the opportunity to explore global issues. It will also increase their awareness of how misinformation is spread and how to spot it. If you are a school reading, and would like to sign up for the News Club, please follow the link here: https://schools.firstnews.co.uk/fn-education-tv/fyi/newsclub/
Many thanks, First News Team
“Pitched at a good level for both my children (age 11 and 9). Interesting articles. Includes news about well known company children can relate to. My daughter thinks it is very well laid out and clear to understand.
Fairly one sided coverage (pro-Palestine/anti-Israel) of the recent conflict disappointing.
Reasonable value for money.”
Thank you for your review, we're so glad that your daughter is enjoying First News.
We take your comments on board and, to that end, we have built a platform which includes all our coverage chronologically – both written and video – since the deadly attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October, as well as a two page explainer of the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict. We do recognise that, as we update on the latest developments, such as the humanitarian crisis for people living in Gaza, that coverage should be seen in the context of prior events which we reported in earlier editions of First News. Our intention is that this platform provides a comprehensive and balanced picture of the complex and historical background to the issues in the region, alongside developments as they are unfolding right now. You can view all of our coverage here https://www.firstnews.co.uk/israelgaza
Thanks once again for your feedback.
“We are a small primary school, last year we wanted to cancel the subscription, when the invoice came in, I phoned up and was told I was too late to cancel as cancelations had to be made in writing 30 days before renewal.
That is the terms; so we paid for another year but made sure I told them I wanted it noted to cancel next year. This year an invoice arrived again so I got in touch but they had no record of my request. Same story, I messaged saying we were not paying the invoice and in fairness, they did come good in the end and 'in this instance' they would cancel our subscription.
I feel it really should not be this difficult to end a subscription, we should get notice when our contracts are to be renewed.”
We’re so sorry to hear you had issues cancelling your subscriptions and we’re happy that it has now been resolved. We do try to be clear on our payment terms and we do send our subscribing schools reminder emails from 90 days in advance of renewals to allow time for any amends. We really appreciate your feedback and will share this with the wider team. If you have any further questions please do email schools@firstnews.co.uk who will be happy to help.
Dear Artur,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. We are so grateful for your views!
Do you have friends whose children might like First News? If your friends sign up, we'll add 4 weeks free to your subscription! Just click here to get your shareable link: https://subscribe.firstnews.co.uk/refer-a-friend/
Many thanks, First News Team
“Our kids (aged 6 and 9) love First News - much more than I was expecting tbh. Most things I think will be fun and educational get cast aside in favour of roblox etc but to my amazement both children love it when their papers arrive and will put down what they’re doing to open them and have a look.
I’ve found them doing the crossword together in bed, even once had to take it away from my youngest who was going to be late for school due to reading a news story about teeth. Not normal for my screen obsessed kids! Also been so impressed by the neutral and informative coverage of the current conflict, making tricky conversions easier. Wholeheartedly recommend.”
Dear Jody,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It’s great to hear that your children are enjoying First News and always excited to receive their latest copies in the post!
Do you have friends whose children might like First News? If your friends sign up, we'll add 4 weeks free to your subscription! Just click here to get your shareable link: https://subscribe.firstnews.co.uk/refer-a-friend/
Best wishes, First News Team
“This newspaper is full of a wide range of well-written articles to engage younger readers. It is always relevant. We use it in our school and the children enjoy reading it. The additional resources for schools are really good too.”
Dear Louisa,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It’s great to hear that the children at your School are enjoying First News! We are so glad to hear you are all enjoying the school resources that have been carefully put together.
Do you have friends whose children might like First News? If your friends sign up, we'll add 4 weeks free to your subscription! Just click here to get your shareable link: https://subscribe.firstnews.co.uk/refer-a-friend/
Many thanks, First News Team
“Took out the trial and have continued, I’m a parent that still enjoys the paper on a sunday, and we try and carve out an hour to read together.. lots of chat about what’s happening in the news.. my 11 year old reads it with her 8 year old sister - hey often do the crossword together. My 11 year old has just started secondary school and has joined the debate club, I’m encouraging her to read the newspaper as it’s often timely information that helps her form her own point of view.. she’s also loving wordie and competing with her friends who have it too!”
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It’s great to hear that your daughters are enjoying First News! It's always encouraging for us at First News to hear first hand how our paper is benefiting our readers and how they are positively engaging with age-appropriate news.
Do you have friends whose children might like First News? If your friends sign up, we'll add 4 weeks free to your subscription! Just click here to get your shareable link: https://subscribe.firstnews.co.uk/refer-a-friend/
Best wishes, First News Team
“Excellent news paper with information everyone loves to look at and read. The articles are wide ranging and varied. The gaming page and puzzles are particularly enjoyed, we've also found it very helpful to wise up for quizzes!”
Dear Mark and Jo,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It’s great to hear that you and your family are enjoying First News! We are so glad to hear that your family are making the most out of our paper. With everything we do here at First News, our aim is to open up children’s eyes to the world. We aim to ensure they understand the issues facing them and the news shaping the world they live in. We want all children to be informed, to have a voice and be heard.
Do you have friends whose children might like First News? If your friends sign up, we'll add 4 weeks free to your subscription! Just click here to get your shareable link: https://subscribe.firstnews.co.uk/refer-a-friend/
Best wishes, First News Team
Dear Spiderweb Learning,
Thank you so much for your positive feedback. It’s great to hear that you think we are an excellent paper for children. We don’t like to brag but… Over the years we have won numerous awards and accolades, including Best National Newspaper at the Plain English Campaign Media Awards (2011), Best National Weekly Newspaper of the Year (2012) and Niche Market Newspaper of the Year (2012 and 2017).
Do you have friends whose children might like First News? If your friends sign up, we'll add 4 weeks free to your subscription! Just click here to get your shareable link: https://subscribe.firstnews.co.uk/refer-a-friend/
Many thanks, First News Team
“My son (9 years old) and increasingly my daughter (6 years old) absolutely love this publication. My son really does read it from cover to cover and is consistently spouting facts from the various articles that he reads. He has been lucky enough to contribute a book review and was very proud to see his picture in the paper and to have an article printed that he had written. We haven't tried the online version yet but I'm excited to see how that might also engage the kids. I also think that it does a great job at tackling some of the difficult issues that kids (and all of us) are confronted with.”
Dear Amy,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It’s so great to hear that your children are enjoying First News and getting so much out of it! We loved your son's contribution to a recent book review in our newspaper and we are thankful for the time and hard work put into his review.
We hope you and the kids will get a chance to try First News Digital soon, where you can:
• Read & Interact with each weekly issue and search for past issues
• Read and listen to daily news stories
• Watch 100’s of videos including Sky Kids FYI
• Play puzzles & games
• Vote in our polls
The content on the app reflects the great, impartial, age-appropriate content in the paper (& more!) and we are confident it’s positive screen time, especially over the summer holidays when you are out and about. So, kids can still read First News wherever they are.
Do you have friends whose children might like First News? If your friends sign up, we'll add 4 weeks free to your subscription! Just click here to get your shareable link: https://subscribe.firstnews.co.uk/refer-a-friend/
Best wishes, First News Team
“the customer service is excelent and love how the magazine comes in a paper format envelope and not the see through plastic aswhen you open it you are surprised at what your going to read about lovley magazine”
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback and recognition of our hardworking and helpful Customer services team. Our team are always happy to assist with any queries about First News, products or assistance with your subscription.
At First News, we are committed to being a responsible and sustainable news organization. We recognize the impact that business operations have on the environment, and we strive to minimize that impact by implementing sustainable practices throughout our entire organization. This includes printing First News on 100% recycled paper and acquiring
our paper from mills that are ISO 9001 accredited.
First News also takes part in the carbon capture programme supported by the Woodland Trust. The programme
captures the CO2 emissions from our paper purchases by planting native woodland in the UK with the aim of providing habitats for wildlife, and green spaces for all to enjoy.
We are also dedicated to producing high-quality and trustworthy news reporting that raises awareness about climate change and all important environmental issues and promotes sustainable living. By doing so, we hope to contribute to a more sustainable future for all.
Do you have friends whose children might like First News? If your friends sign up, we'll add 4 weeks free to your subscription! Just click here to get your shareable link: https://subscribe.firstnews.co.uk/refer-a-friend/
Best wishes, First News Team
“My daughter is 11 and has really enjoyed reading this each week for 2 years now. She opens and reads it as soon as it arrives through the door and loves having her own newspaper. It manages difficult news well, not avoiding the awful humanitarian crises, but very sensitively and age- appropriately.”
Dear Helen,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It’s great to hear that your daughter has been enjoying First News for 2 years!
At First News, we aim to get kids talking about the news in an easy to understand and non-threatening way. We cover issues which are relevant to children and which specifically affect them.
Do you have friends whose children might like First News? If your friends sign up, we'll add 4 weeks free to your subscription! Just click here to get your shareable link: https://subscribe.firstnews.co.uk/refer-a-friend/
Many thanks, First News Team
