By Debbie Binnersley
YEAR 5 pupils at Whingate Primary School have recently turned their attention to journalism as part of a scheme run by The Guardian Foundation and are launching a community newspaper.
The idea comes from Newswise, which is the primary school version of Behind the Headlines, a programme for young people that offers a range of news and media workshops with supporting resources.
Head of Year 5, Carol Newton said: “The project was a really valuable opportunity for our children, particularly in the way it allowed them to engage with local issues and to critically evaluate the media; including what they see on social media.”
As part of the project children have been learning how to spot fake news, identify newsworthy stories, how to structure reports and articles and how to identity and create a balanced report.
They have also had the opportunity to interview several people who are active and well-known in the Armley community.
These include former councillor Lou Cunningham, school governor Michelle Gittins, school headteachers Miss Beswick and Miss Loney and West Leeds Dispatch editor, John Baron.
Year 5 student Sophia Hurley was chosen to be editor of the newspaper. When asked what she most enjoyed about her role, Sophia replied: “Interviewing people and finding out about the news.”
The publication date for the newspaper is still to be confirmed and WLD will share more once further information becomes available.
WLD editor John Baron added: “It was great to meet so many enthusiastic budding journalists at Whingate – they had so many great questions! “I can’t want to see the finished newspaper. Perhaps we may even publish some of the articles on the Dispatch.”