Introducing the BBC News School Report

11 November 2011

This week pupils from Deer Park School began their training for BBC News School Report with the help of a journalist from the BBC. BBC News School Report has been running annually since 2006 and gives students between the ages of 11 and 16 from across the country the opportunity to take part in different forms of journalism. Over half of secondary schools in the UK are involved this year, from Glaitness School on the Orkney Islands to Cape Cornwall School at the south westerly point of Cornwall - there are thousands of pupils taking part.

We were treated to a visit from Tamsyn Kent, a BBC reporter with 15 years’ experience. Pupils were shown a range of journalistic techniques, such as ‘Vox Popping’, and given an idea of what the journalistic trade involves on a day-to-day basis. Our team consists of pupils from all year groups and Caroline Skerten, Assistant Head of Deer Park and co-ordinator of the Deer Park School Report Team, said that she “hopes pupils involved will gain confidence, develop the skills of working as a team and demonstrate resourcefulness when creating their news reports”. Amelia Nevin from Year 7 said the day was “definitely worth it”.

Tamsyn felt "The students showed that they're really interested in the principles of journalism. I was very impressed by their dedication to finding original stories and I've never seen so many ideas for news reports come from one brainstorming session! I'm sure your pupils will make great BBC News School Reporters. Good luck everybody."

All this know-how will be required on 15th of March 2012 when our School Report will be finalised and broadcasted, and where it will be accessible from the BBC News website for people across the globe.

byJames Calford and Lizi Lake, Year 11

Related links:

• BBC News School Report