A journalism training centre has recorded a full house of students making the NCTJ’s ‘gold standard’ grade in what is believed to be a record-breaking achievement.

News Associates has announced 100pc of its first-ever undergraduate class achieved a gold-standard NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Journalism.

It is the first time since the NCTJ started publishing results that an entire cohort has achieved the industry-standard qualification.

In the years on record, 2013 to 2019, the gold-standard NCTJ pass rate for the number one-ranked accredited undergraduate courses were 50pc, 48.78pc, 55.56pc, 59.46pc, 38.46pc, 50pc and 38.46pc.

James Toney, pictured, managing editor of News Associates owner Beat Media Group, said: “This is a remarkable achievement, the first undergraduate course to see 100pc of those enrolled achieve their gold-standard diploma since the NCTJ started publishing results across all accredited courses.

“This group were remarkable from the moment they walked through our door to start their degree studies and they’ve consistently produced top-quality journalism to go with their amazing results.

“And while exam grades tell you something, they do not tell you everything and I have no doubt their excellence in the classroom will translate to the newsroom.

“A big thanks should also go to Andrew Greaves, their programme leader, for his relentless enthusiasm to make our first undergraduate cohort as successful as our industry-leading postgraduate courses.”

Andrew added: “I’m so incredibly proud that our first-ever School of Journalism group have all completed their NCTJ diploma to the industry-required gold standard.

“They have all worked really hard to juggle the demands of the NCTJ qualification and the degree programme and that work will stand them in really good stead when taking their first steps in the industry.

“When we started the degree course three years ago we set out with the goal to be the best NCTJ undergraduate programme in the country, so to return a 100% gold standard course – as well as outstanding degree results – is a real testament to the group and also the News Associates team.”