School of the Week: Stanville Primary School, Sheldon

Feb 10 2009 By Daub Abdi, aged 11

STUDENTS at a Sheldon primary school have been trying their hand at journalism as part of a week looking at the world of work.

During a visit to Stanville Primary School by Birmingham Mail and Sunday Mercury editor Steve Dyson, students learnt about the day-to-day runnings of a newspaper as well as the importance of accuracy and use of shorthand by reporters.

He told Year 4 and 6 classes how journalists needed to know the who, what, where, why, when and how of a story before it got into the paper. He left several copies of the Birmingham Mail for them to look at.

Students asked Steve how sports pages were put together and where reporters got their facts from. Helen Watton, from the school, said: “When we continue with our study of newspaper reports we will use all the valuable information Steve has given us about how to write a good, factual account and try to write brilliant reports.

“He gave us lots of information about journalism as a career, especially telling us about some of the special skills needed to be a good reporter; he then wrote a message in shorthand and told us the importance of accuracy.

“He said even a photographer needs to make accurate notes to go with the photo.”

During a week of activities pupils have been visited by a range of professionals, including a veterinary surgeon, a bank manager, a fireman, a soldier, a nurse, a sports coach, HR professionals and a training co-ordinator.