Page 2 of 2
One straightforward statement in the Speech paper caused confusion, perhaps because of the candidates’ shorthand skills.
It said: “We have become alarmed in Oxdown in the last two years over the number of young people who talk of killing themselves – 12 percent above the national average.”
But the passage, delivered at 90 words per minute, proved to be a serious hurdle.
The report said: “Out of the total 217 candidates, 28 reported that the number of young people killing themselves was 12 percent above the national average. Even worse, 45 said Oxdown’s suicide rate was 12 percent above average.”
But there were some lighter moments:
Reporting on a school dinner lady syndicate’s £500,000 Lottery win, follow-up questions included:
The Interview question saw one candidate describing the attackers “praying” on gays in the town centre, as if they were some sort of evangelists.
Another candidate even mistyped “soldiers” for “shoulders” in a quote attributed to the eye-witness: “One of the men was holding the man round the soldiers.” In other words, as the marker noted – round his privates!
The rough treatment was not confined to the town centre.
One candidate wrote: “He was taken to St Mary’s Hospital by ambulance and was discharged yesterday with a broken nose, cuts and bruises.”
Clearly a casualty department to avoid.
Individual awards include:
Society of Editors’ Award
(News Interview – £250)
Gemma Collins – South Wales Argus
Esso Award
(Speech – £250)
Charles Morton – Evening Herald, Plymouth
Ted Bottomley Award
(Newspaper Practice – £250)
Gemma Collins – South Wales Argus
For a full list of the successful NCE candidates, click here.
For more from the examiners’ reports, click here for the
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at