A former apprentice is among three journalists to be honoured for their exam performance in becoming seniors.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists has revealed Jessica Frank-Keyes, Rhoda Morrison and James Carr as winners of three awards available for performance following July’s sittings of the National Qualification in Journalism.

Jessica, pictured, won the media law award and was congratulated by the moderator for her excellent media law and ethics in practice paper, particularly her ‘near-perfect’ answers in section two of the exam.

The Eastern Daily Press journalist is a former apprentice who studied with PA Training.

She said: “I’m thrilled to be getting this award. Getting to grips with media law was definitely one of the most challenging but rewarding parts of my training as a journalist.

“Huge thanks for everyone at PA Training and the NCTJ for their invaluable help during my diploma and seniors.

“Thanks as well to all my colleagues at the Eastern Daily Press. I couldn’t have done this without their support.”

Bury Free Press journalist Rhoda, who also won this year’s trainee of the year award in the NCTJ Awards for Excellence, won the practical skills award.

The moderator praised the former University of Sheffield student, pictured left, for her performance in the big news story exam, which demonstrated that she is “more than ready for the step up to a senior journalist role”.

She said: “I was really surprised to hear I’d won the practical skills award but I’m over the moon and it’s great to know all the hard work was worth it.

“I consider myself very lucky to have been one of the last to be trained by David Holmes at The University of Sheffield and to have had brilliant training at the Bury Free Press over the last 18 months.

“I’m so grateful to Barry, Graham, Paul and everyone else at work for all their help, advice and encouragement.”

James who completed his diploma with PA Training, won the award for his logbook, which was called “an excellent example to those seeking to compile a clear summary of their progress in the industry” by the moderator.

The EDP journalist, pictured left, said: “It was a great surprise to find out I had won the award. I’m really proud of the stories in the logbook and was extremely lucky during my time at the EDP and EADT to work and learn from great journalists and editors.

“I’d like to give special thanks to Tom Bristow, Andrew Fitchett and Richard Porritt for helping me put the logbook together and allowing me the time to complete longer investigations.

“And also to give a shout out to Lowestoft legend and full-time hero Mark Boggis for having the patience of a saint and answering my endless questions.”