Practice News Days in the NW 2007/08

SCHOOL REPORT IN THE NW BBC Lancashire BBC Liverpool BBC Stoke and Staffordshire BBC Manchester Last year's schools in this region Back to the clickable map

Schools that have taken part in practice News Days feature on this page. It links to many of the educational websites on which School Reporters' news is published.

A new map is due to launch at the beginning of March, from which the BBC aim to link to school websites, generating a UK-wide audience for students' work.

Please send Schools Producer Ros Smith the address of your dedicated web page by 1 March.

Here is some useful information to help you:

How to make a School Report web page

Taking part in a practice News Day

How to publish on the internet

ACCRINGTON MOORHEAD SPORTS COLLEGE, LANCASHIRE

Students Carrie and Chelsea used a SKYPE link to interview co-author of a book all about climate change, Gabrielle Walker, who is currently aboard the HMS Endurance in Antarctica.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS, CHESHIRE

During February's practice News Day, a student plucked up the courage to question a government senior press officer about the loss of confidential data.

Students also conducted interviews with the secretaries of Chester and Reading football clubs about the influx of foreign players to the English game.

Other School Reporters covered stories including:

• What it means to be a specialist school
• Internet safety for young people
• Subjects of interest to young people
• School-based issues including bullying and the Every Child Matters policy
• Impacts of violence in video games
• A summary of national and world news
• The school's latest sport results

FAIRFIELD HIGH SCHOOL, WIDNES

In February, students from Fairfield High School took part in a practice News Day at Runcorn City Learning Centre, producing news reports and podcasts.

HALTON HIGH SCHOOL, RUNCORN

In February, students from Halton High School joined five other schools at Runcorn City Learning Centre, to take part in a practice News Days producing news reports and podcasts.

HOPE HIGH SCHOOL, SALFORD, MANCHESTER

In February, School Reporters from Hope High School joined forces with students from Salford City Academy and The Swinton High School to take part in a practice News Day.

Twelve students created radio, TV and online reports at the Moorside City Learning Centre.

Their news topics include a tornado in the US, England's first game under a new manager, 10-year-old boys being trained by Al Qaeda and super casinos.

Several mentors from Moorside City Learning Centre and BBC radio and television helped the students.

MANCHESTER ACADEMY, MANCHESTER

Two students from this school appeared on Radio Manchester, discussing their roles during School Report 2006/7 and what they plan to do for the project this year. One pupil has already received a written response from the prime minister after she expressed her concern over a lack of youth clubs in the area.

Loren and Eleanor, both 13, questioned an estate agent about mortgages on BBC Radio Manchester.

MARSDEN HEIGHTS, NELSON, LANCASHIRE

During January's practice News Day, School Reporters from this school joined students from Sir John Thursby Community College in Burnley at Towneley Park City Learning Centre (CLC) to make the news.

Students reported on:

• The sale of some Blackpool illuminations
• A family who live on a bus
• A self-destructing tree in Madagascar
• A theory that insects were responsible for the death of dinosaurs

February's practice News Day took place at the Towneley City Learning Centre, where 50 students from Marsden Heights, Sir John Thursby Community College and Unity College put together an interesting running order for a TV bulletin

They covered the new stands at Burnley football ground, Prince Edward's forthcoming visit to Burnley, crime and school facilities.

Three students set up a camera in Burnley and asked members of the public about England's football match, gathering opinions on Beckham's absence from the game and the new England manager.

Towneley Park City Learning Centre's website contains the latest reports from students in Lancashire, including:

• Turf Moors development
• The decrease of crime in Burnley
• A royal visit
• An active wake-up call for Year 7's
• School dinners
• Sport
Weather

NEW BRIDGE SCHOOL, OLDHAM, GREATER MANCHESTER

Eight School Reporters from this school created a radio bulletin during a practice News Day on Monday 18 February at Oldham City Learning Centre.

The Year 9 students, with special educational needs, formed three teams, reporting on world, national and local news.

Ben, 14, researched a news item about a proposal to install metal detectors in schools as a preventative measure against knife crime.

He said: "It's a good idea to watch and listen and read the news because some things are really important."

Annalise, 13, was interested to read that a local person had been fined over £500 for dropping cigarette ends.

She said: "A lot of people don't know you can get fined so it's important to warn people."

She added: "I also want to get the message across to people that it's not good to leave dog muck and other litter on the floor."

Teacher Richard Bright said: "The students were asked to consider the last piece of information they heard which was so exciting they were bursting to tell someone else. It helped them realise that reporting involves looking for your own news not just absorbing news from bulletins, newspapers and websites."

SOUTH CHADDERTON SCHOOL, LANCASHIRE

Ryan Giggs, Max Beesley, Chris Bisson, Richard O'Brien and Samia Smith are lending their support to Manchester charity, the Five Star Scanner Appeal, which aims to raise £1m for a replacement MRI scanner for the new Manchester Children's Hospital.

And School Reporters from this school are are lending their support too.

During a practice News Day at Oldham City Learning Centre on Thursday 21 February, students planned their coverage of a charity singing competition, judged by celebrities, at their school. Singer and actor Richard Fleeshman was one of the judges last year.

Lauren, 12, prepared interview questions for contestant Rosie, 12, and drama teacher Louise Endersby. She said: "I thought it would make a good news story because it's to do with children in school doing what they like doing - singing, raising money for charity, and it involves celebrities. There is something of interest for everyone and it should get lots of attention."

Other students from her Year 8 class also researched international and national stories using newspapers and the internet.

Kara, 12 said: "To be a good researcher, you've got to have determination. If you're half-way through researching a story and you spot another one that your audience will like, you've got to make a quick decision what to do. If possible, I'd finish researching one story and slot the other story in as well."

NEWALL GREEN HIGH SCHOOL, WYTHENSHAWE

During February's practice News Day students published some of the day's reports on their school website, including a piece about the Spice Girls latest plans.

PARK HIGH SCHOOL, BIRKENHEAD

Seven students from this school interviewed the cast and crew of Grange Hill on the set of the children's drama.

Grange Hill stars quizzed by pupils

ST MATTHEW'S RC HIGH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE, MOSTON, MANCHESTER

During January's practice News Day, School Reporters at this school filmed on location from a variety of venues including the City of Manchester Stadium. They also used green-screen technology at North East Manchester City Learning Centre.

ST THOMAS MORE RC COLLEGE, DENTON, MANCHESTER

This school have created a dedicated School Report web page for their news. At present it is a holding page to which reports will be added as they are published.

SIR JOHN THURSBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN BURNLEY, LANCASHIRE

During January's practice News Day, School Reporters from this school joined students from Marsden Heights in Nelson at Towneley Park City Learning Centre (CLC) in Burnley to make the news.

Students reported on:

• The sale of some Blackpool illuminations
• A family who live on a bus
• A self-destructing tree in Madagascar
• A theory that insects were responsible for the death of dinosaurs

February's practice News Day took place at the Towneley City Learning Centre, where 50 students from Sir John Thursby Community College, Marsden Heights, and Unity College put together an interesting running order for a TV bulletin

They covered the new stands at Burnley football ground, Prince Edward's forthcoming visit to Burnley, crime and school facilities.

Three students set up a camera in Burnley and asked members of the public about England's football match, gathering opinions on Beckham's absence from the game and the new England manager.

The latest reports from students in Lancashire include:

• Turf Moors development
• The decrease of crime in Burnley
• A royal visit
• An active wake-up call for Year 7's
• School dinners
• Sport
Weather

NORTH MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, MOSTON

School Reporters used their mobile phones to report on concerns such as cyber-bullying, which have been associated with mobiles.

Mobiles used to report phone fears

THE HEATH SCHOOL, RUNCORN, CHESHIRE

Pupils from this school took part in a practice News Day in January at Widnes City Learning Centre alongside other students from Halton.

Hitting the deadline

In February, students took part in another practice News Day at Runcorn City Learning Centre, producing news reports and podcasts.

WADE DEACON HIGH SCHOOL, WIDNES, CHESHIRE

Pupils from this school took part in a practice News Day in January at Widnes City Learning Centre alongside other students from Halton.

Hitting the deadline

In February, students took part in another practice News Day at Runcorn City Learning Centre, producing news reports and podcasts.

THE BANKFIELD SCHOOL, WIDNES, CHESHIRE

Pupils from this school are working with Widnes City Learning Centre alongside other schools from Halton. In January several schools from the area took part in a practice News Day at the CLC.

Hitting the deadline

ST CHAD'S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, RUNCORN, CHESHIRE

Pupils from this school took part in a practice News Day in January at Widnes City Learning Centre alongside other students from Halton.

Hitting the deadline

In February, students took part in another practice News Day at Runcorn City Learning Centre, producing news reports and podcasts.

SAINTS PETER AND PAUL CATHOLIC COLLEGE, WIDNES, CHESHIRE

Pupils from this school took part in a practice News Day in January at Widnes City Learning Centre alongside other students from Halton.

Hitting the deadline

CHESNUT LODGE SCHOOL, WIDNES, CHESHIRE

Pupils from this school took part in a practice News Day in January at Widnes City Learning Centre alongside other students from Halton.

Hitting the deadline

SALFORD CITY ACADEMY, ECCLES

In February, School Reporters from Salford City Academy joined forces with students from The Swinton High School and Hope High School to take part in a practice News Day.

Twelve students created radio, TV and online reports at the Moorside City Learning Centre.

Their news topics include a tornado in the US, England's first game under a new manager, 10-year-old boys being trained by Al Qaeda and super casinos.

Several mentors from Moorside City Learning Centre and BBC radio and television helped the students.

THE GRANGE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL, RUNCORN, CHESHIRE

Pupils from this school took part in a practice News Day in January at Widnes City Learning Centre alongside other students from Halton.

Hitting the deadline

In February, students took part in another practice News Day at Runcorn City Learning Centre, producing news reports and podcasts.

THE SWINTON HIGH SCHOOL, MANCHESTER, RUNCORN, CHESHIRE

In February, School Reporters from The Swinton High School joined forces with students from Salford City Academy and Hope High School to take part in a practice News Day.

Twelve students created radio, TV and online reports at the Moorside City Learning Centre.

Their news topics include a tornado in the US, England's first game under a new manager, 10-year-old boys being trained by Al Qaeda and super casinos.

Several mentors from Moorside City Learning Centre and BBC radio and television helped the students.

UNITY COLLEGE, BURNLEY, LANCASHIRE

During February's practice day, School reporters from Unity College joined students from Sir John Thursby Community College and Marsden Heights at the Towneley City Learning Centre.

50 students from these three different schools, put together an interesting running order for a TV bulletin, covering the new stands at Burnley football ground, Prince Edward's forthcoming visit to Burnley, crime and school facilities.

Three students set up a camera in Burnley and asked members of the public about England's football match, gathering opinions on Beckham's absence from the game and the new England manager.

The latest reports from students in Lancashire include:

• Turf Moors development
• The decrease of crime in Burnley
• A royal visit
• An active wake-up call for Year 7's
• School dinners
• Sport
Weather