Newsquest’s Young Reporter awards took place last Wednesday, celebrating the students who took part in the scheme during the past year.

Twenty-six students won thirty-two prizes between them and Edwin John from Wilson’s School in South London and Avneet Sapal from Bancroft’s School in North London, were crowned top reporters.

Rob Young, Teacher of English at Bancroft’s School, said: “We have entered many students into the Young Reporter Scheme over the years, and were thrilled that we had one reporter this year who was so highly commended.

“We have always found that the scheme is fantastic for improving the writing of students as well as their understanding of deadlines. We have recently allowed students in Year 10 to undertake the scheme as a part of their Duke of Edinburgh skills training, which has been a pleasing partnership of excellent schemes for young people.”

Avneet Sapal, winner of the year 12/13 group, said: “As an aspiring journalist, I am very grateful to the Young Reporter Scheme for giving me an insight into the journalism industry. By taking part in the scheme, I have not only improved my writing skills, but also developed a greater appreciation for my local area. From the closing of one of the oldest leather shops on Brick Lane to the inspiring story of a local dance teacher, I have loved sharing news about my community.

“Having built upon my research and interview skills I feel much more confident about a future career in journalism and have therefore found the scheme to be very rewarding.”

This scheme has taken thousands of students on a media journey, helping them to explore what it is like to work as a journalist and we are now recruiting for our fifteenth year.

Edwin John, the Year 10/11 winner, completed the scheme for the second year running. He said: “The Young Reporter Scheme has offered me a thoroughly enjoyable experience over the last two years. The skills I have developed whilst writing for an online newspaper will prove invaluable in the future and I am grateful that I have had this opportunity to experience the world of journalism. I would recommend the scheme for anyone who is passionate about writing and willing to explore a style of writing different to what they may be familiar with.”

Tim Lissimore, Senior Deputy Head of Wilson’s, added: “We are very proud of Edwin and his achievement, and delighted that this could be marked at the Award Ceremony! It’s great that the scheme rewards achievement as well as participation so that the most ambitious students are inspired to attend to the qualities of great journalism.”

It is an amazing opportunity for any young person in years 10 to 13 as the scheme allows them to write regular articles and have all their work published on a real newspaper platform.

Toby Granville, Editorial Development Director at Newsquest Media Group, was one of the presenters at the Award Ceremony.

He spoke at length about the new Apprenticeship Scheme that the Young Reporter Scheme is running for the first time this year and said: “I was thrilled to be part of the award ceremony and I’m sure many of the winners and runners up will be our newsrooms stars of the future.”

The scheme has now started up again for 2022/23 and schools are busy signing up students anxious to take part in this exciting and unique opportunity.