Children learned about the importance of shorthand and the process of creating stories after a visit by a regional daily journalist.
Ruth Scammell, education reporter at The News, Portsmouth, talked about her job with Year Four children at Hart Plain Junior School, in Waterlooville, Hampshire.
Ruth described her typical day to the pupils, and told them about famous people she has met during her career.
The children will now undertake a journalism project as part of their English lessons.
Thomas Tucker, eight, and Faye Francis, nine, heard about the life of a working journalist
Teacher Josh Phelan said: “They will be interviewing members of the school about the recycling project we have been working on across the term.
“The children, and the adults involved, are very excited to see how the reports turn out when the children have finished writing them. Perhaps it will be the start of a journalistic career for some of the children.”
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I reluctantly agreed to give a similar talk to a class of primary school children while education correspondent for a daily newspaper in the West Midlands. The only follow-up question I had from the pupils was “how much money do you get?” I was either too surprised or too embarrassed to answer!
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We have all done these but it didn’t make HTFP. On the subject of shorthand although it is useful good writing and a nose for a story are vital. The most talented and reliable hack I ever met, who covered everything from murder trials to football matches and Beethoven concerts, never had a single stroke of shorthand or a single successful complaint against him in about five decades. Unlike a lot of young hacks, he could write decent English too.
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True, but unfortunately editors now seem to insist on shorthand. Like your friend, Oldhack, I was never sued in over 18 years with a regional newspaper, but nowadays I don’t even get called for interviews. Once you are made redundant, that seems to be it as far as chances are concerned.
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