Headlines
Media Training Course
Top Journalists' Seal of Approval for College's New Media and Journalism Course
24th March 2009
The College’s enrichment Media Training course, newly-founded this year, has recently received official approval from leading figures in the world of journalism.
Anthony Osborne, Work-Related Learning Co-ordinator, has received letters of support for the programme from individuals as lofty as Rebekah Wade and Peter Hill, editors of The Sun and The Daily Express respectively, with the former going so far as to say that she “has no hesitation in endorsing such an excellent initiative which will give the students a huge advantage when it comes to securing a job in such a competitive industry…I am sure the programme you have established will give your students a great foundation on which to build and put them ahead of others looking for a job in journalism”.
Since September 2008, participating students have received valuable insight into the world of journalism through a broad range of seminars including writing articles, interviewing techniques, ethics, podcasting to name a few.
Many of these seminars have been delivered by external speakers who are experts in their field such as Dave Howard, Radio 1’s political reporter for the Newsbeat programme; film-maker and photographer John Bulmer; and Mark Bowen, Deputy News Editor of The Hereford Times.
Students have been encouraged to utilise these skills by building their own portfolios of work with nterviews, articles, photographs, podcasts and creative writing.
Enrichment Co-ordinator Marco Martinelli commented, “This is part of a continuing drive by HSFC to link with the broader community. We are widening the students’ perspectives far beyond the narrow confines of the ‘A’ level syllabus. This will give them just the head start in terms of both confidence and experience that they will need in an increasingly competitive job market”.
Perhaps the most impressive of this year’s achievements has been the sheer level of initiative shown by the students.
After initial specialist guidance, students have had to use their own inspiration and ingenuity to build their personal portfolios. Contact has been made with some remarkably high-level contacts entirely through the students own efforts.
Of those participating in the course, Tom Kennedy has demonstrated outstanding initiative, managing to secure interviews with talents such as Max Clifford, the world famous PR guru; Nick Owen from BBC’s Midlands Today; and Gabriele Marcotti, a senior Italian football journalist who writes for The Times and Gazzetta dello Sport. He also negotiated an in-depth interview with Bolton Wanderers' manager Gary Megson, which provided a fascinating and revealing insight into the cut-throat world of Premier League management.
Reflecting on the course, Tom commented “I really enjoyed the course, it's something you wouldn’t get the opportunity to do at school.
Students completing the course and portfolio of work will receive a certificate in the coming months. For those who missed the course and would like to attend next year, it will run again from September onwards.