Two students from St Teilo’s Church-in-Wales School in Cardiff literally made the news when they were chosen to interview the UK party leaders at Downing Street last week.
Lameese Yousif and Sophie Wilcock, Year 9 pupils represented St Teilo’s, one of six schools involved in interviewing David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Milliband on a range of topics as part of BBC News School Report. The project gives 11-16 year olds the chance to make their own news reports, creating video, audio and written pieces which were published on the school’s websites and linked to the BBC on 15 March.
During the past few weeks Year 9 students have been working hard, training to be journalists, carrying out interviews and producing reports on the theme of young people and the future. The students have produced an audio diary and learned about broadcasting, meeting deadlines and thinking critically.
Lameese, aged 14 said “I really enjoyed the experience of visiting Downing St and having the opportunity to interview the Prime Minister, Nick Clegg and Ed Milliband. I asked Mr Cameron about his obsession with the game Angry Birds which raised a few laughs amongst the group. We also asked about youth unemployment as this issue is important to my future and that of my friends. I really like the idea that the audio diary we made is available online for anyone who want to listen and we will reach a wide audience with our news.”
Mrs Beverley Walker, Headteacher at St Teilo’s said: “Our school reporters have worked hard on this project and have come up with some interesting and informative pieces of work. I think the students have really enjoyed the experience and learnt a great deal. It’s a great opportunity for them to write about what matters to them while learning new skills and using new resources.”
Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Freda Salway, said “I am delighted that students from a school in Cardiff were chosen to represent Wales as School Reporters in Downing St and did such a professional job of interviewing the leaders of three of the UK’s political parties. The enthusiasm of the students is evident in the work they have produced and should be commended.”
