Scott Armstrong has swapped his career in newspapers to become head of Media, Arts and Design at Darlington College of Technology, the only media centre of vocational excellence in the North of England.

The 31-year-old has replaced Tony Metcalf, who has returned to the industry to run a newspaper in the Middle East.

The Media Design Centre boasts facilities that are among the best in the country, with students having 52 Apple Mac G4 computers, plasma screens, up-to-date digital television and radio studios, design equipment and digital editing suites at their disposal.

Scott, (pictured), said: “Within the industry Darlington College’s reputation is legendary so I simply had to go for the job. As my career in newspapers developed, I became more and more interested in mentoring young journalists to the point where this went beyond my personal goals.”

“Darlington has a fantastic reputation and I now want to take that message to the rest of the country. The National Council for the Training of Journalists is currently looking at standards in the country’s training centres.

“There are concerns within the industry about the passion, commitment and ability of some young recruits. But I have no worries that Darlington can maintain its reputation as a great place to come and learn the trade.”

Scott, originally from Nottingham, has spent most of his career in the North of England.

He joins the College from the Yorkshire Evening Post in Leeds where he was deputy news editor.

Before that he worked in Newcastle as acting deputy news editor on the Evening Chronicle, where he had served as assistant news editor, chief reporter, industrial reporter and senior reporter.

Scott also worked for the national wire service, the Press Association, as North-East correspondent after joining the agency from the Sunday Sun.

He was once the North-East bureau chief for the national news agency News Team International and worked for the Grimsby Evening Telegraph and Newark Advertiser.

He is a previous winner of the North-East Press Awards Business Writer of the Year accolade.

He also assumes responsibility for performing arts at the College.

“I see this as an exciting growth area with real potential,” he said. “Many young people want to be pop stars or actors these days and we have the ability to help them.

“I’m also responsible for art and design which has a great reputation in the industry and the fashion courses, including the annual fashion show, has been making good headlines. That’s something I’ll also be looking to build on.”

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