The 2021 Young Reporter Awards took place on Wednesday 23 June and students from all over the South-East attended the virtual award ceremony, in anticipation of winning the top prizes.

Due to the pandemic the 2020 winners were also included in the ceremony and Nicholas James and Josh Bartholmew, top reporters from last year, both recorded presentations about their time doing the scheme.

This year there were two new top reporters. Nandinee Thatte from The Henrietta Barnett School in North London, secured top place in the Year 10/11, as well as winning in two of the categories. She said: "The experience was a valuable one as I was able to improve my writing. It allowed me to speak to people in my local community and learn more about their work. It was a nice change to be the writer, not the reader, and I recommend the scheme to anyone looking to try something new!"

The other top reporter was Selin Akdemir from Francis Holland School in South London, who also won in two categories and said: “The Young Reporter Scheme was a wonderful experience which helped me improve my writing and enhance my confidence. The process of finding interesting topics, contacting people for quotes and publishing articles in an actual newspaper gave me the encouragement to consider a career in journalism.”

It was a successful evening, despite the initial hiccups of setting up an online award ceremony for the first time. Lots of students sent in online videos about their experience doing the scheme, which were broadcast on the night and it was an excellent way to recognise young talent in the world of media.

Frances Keaveney, Careers Lead at Rosebery School, who had a winner in the event category, said: “Considering we have been in the middle of a pandemic, the Young Reporter team have overcome many challenges to once again deliver an excellent virtual experience to support students who would not have had the opportunity to get this work experience in Journalism.”

For thirteen years, the scheme has been a huge success with thousands of students from all over the South-East taking part in this exciting and rewarding extra-curricular work experience.

Some of those students have forged ahead and become journalists and others have moved into very different careers but whatever path they have taken, most of them will admit that the Young Reporter Scheme, gave them an excellent experience of working for a large media organisation.

Anthony Fitzgerald, Director of Careers & Universities at Kingston Grammar School, had a winner in two categories this year, the Interview and photograph category. He said: “Always a winner, this scheme has become even more appealing in the pandemic with online mentoring and launches. It is the highest quality of virtual work experience with high expectations of students, who come away with a portfolio of articles that can easily be highlighted in personal statements or references.”

The scheme starts up again in September 2021 and schools and students wishing to get involved should contact djarvis@newsquest.co.uk.