We asked the question:- "Is there a point to all the time, effort and energy that is going into this project?"

Manchester Confidential said:- "Manchester Confidential has the expertise, resources and contacts. Manchester Academy has the ambition, spirit and youth. Give our children a future and the rest is history."

Stephen Evans said:- "As a teacher I feel the private sector has an important role to play in preparing the students for the real world outside. The need to meet deadlines and the work ethos of private industry is something the students can learn from, imitate and apply to their work, especially for revision and examinations."

The Editors said:-

We will now have the chance to

• work with an exciting on line newspaper

• improve our writing skills

• use what we have learned at Manchester Academy in a real setting

• work to deadlines

• work with journalists, web designers, and people in the know

• have a say and make real decisions

• prepare ourselves for the world of work

• get out and about to write reviews on films, concerts and eating out

So the answer is YES! The portal is being designed as we speak.