Major scoop for budding journalists at Tufnell Park school
A TEAM of precocious youngsters at a Tufnell Park school have something new to write about – after they scooped top prize in a national magazine competition.
The budding journalists from Acland Burghley School, in Burghley Road, claimed the 11 to 15-year-old award in the national School Magazine Competition organised by Oxford Brookes University.
About 20 young hacks worked on The Source, with teachers leaving them to handle every step of its production, from writing articles to designing the pages.
GCSE student Adam Castle, 16, led the project, which was completed in eight weeks before the summer. He said: “I didn’t want any of the teachers to tell us what we could write about. Once the deputy head said we could do it the teachers didn’t have any involvement in it – we did it all ourselves after school.”
The judges were wowed by the magazine’s professional look - and said it had been a clear winner.
Nicola Timbrell, of Oxford Brookes University, said: “The judges loved the content and design. The artwork is superb and the articles are just right for your student community.”
Editor Adam added: “It was really great to see that our hard work had been recognised.”
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The magazine includes a mix of features, covering everything from music and sport to aliens and the school’s policy of keeping Year 10 pupils in at lunchtime, as well as the more serious matters of racism and the war in Afghanistan.
Teacher Richard Henley said: “The school put up the money for it to be printed professionally but other than that they did it all on their own.
“They’re all really lovely kids, who just get involved. They’re a really diverse bunch who reflect the diversity of Acland Burghley School.”
Headteacher Jo Armitage, who was herself interviewed for the magazine, added: “To win a national prize is a fantastic achievement. The Source is very professional in both design and content and shows the creative, thoughtful, and sometimes irreverent side of the editorial team.”
