Thursday, 15th November, 2007

BBC Radio Manchester invited four Manchester Academy students to talk live on the Heather Stott show about the work produced so far in the BBC School News Report project.

The BBC School News Report is an exciting project which offers 11 to 14 year old school pupils the opportunity to take part in a live broadcasting of news events.

In addition, the students also study the technical processes involved in collecting local and national news for airing on TV, radio and online.

The BBC in turn works closely with participating schools leading to the now annual UK-wide News Day live broadcast [the next one taking place on Thursday, 13th March, 2008].

Students in Year 8 and 9 at Manchester Academy are once more taking part in the worthwhile venture and 8U classes are already busy looking at the components of news programs in their English classes.

News Day

Last year the students gained plenty of experience in getting to grips with all the contrasting tasks in news preparation, in addition to the challenging position of an anchorman. Furthermore, the Manchester Academy students were subsequently featured on BBC Newsround which can be seen here.

After such tremendous success, the students are looking forward with huge anticipation to another opportunity of broadcasting the news in March of next year.

BBC Radio Manchester Visit

While two of the students were conducting a live interview on air, behind the scenes, another two were busy learning how to fulfil the role of producer and deal with sound bytes and incoming calls from listeners.

The students thoroughly enjoyed this experience, in particular they liked the fast pace that was involved in putting their opinions and ideas out in a live radio broadcast/interview.

It was a brilliant morning all round, the BBC staff being extremely friendly and very welcoming.

Ms. Joyce, the Manchester Academy teacher who accompanied the students on the visit to BBC Radio Manchester said:-  

"I thought the trip was a useful project for students to gain and insight into media technology and reporting on the news, it also provided students with an opportunity to see how a live broadcast is put on to air."

One of the students, has already started to consider a how he would love career in the media!!!

• Click here to listen to the BBC Radio Manchester interview