The number and proportion of trainee journalists qualifying as seniors has risen in the past year, new figures have revealed.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists has released its annual examiners’ report into the National Qualification in Journalism, which has revealed 56 new seniors have qualified during the 2022-23 academic year.

The number represents a pass rate of 63pc, comparing favourably with 47 candidates qualifying at a rate of 55pc the previous year.

A total of 150 candidates sat at least one NQJ exam during 2022-23, with 89 working towards completing the full qualification in these sittings.

In the report, chief examiner Andy Martin, pictured, said: “These qualifications remain the gold standard for our industry and rightly so.

“We only need to take a quick glance at the world around us to see that trusted, trained, professional journalists are needed more than ever to hold public institutions and private organisations to account and speak truth to power.

“Well done to those who passed the NQJ. Your efforts have been well rewarded.”

The full list of newly-qualified senior journalists can be found below, following the reports for the individual exam components.

Media law and ethics in practice

In all, 113 candidates sat the media law and ethics in practice exam, with 79 passes representing a 70pc pass rate.

In his report, chief moderator Crispin Clark advised candidates to revise by reading HTFP’s coverage of legal and ethical news, adding: “As in previous reports, the advice to candidates is revise and be comfortable with the contents of McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists.

“Be analytical when reading questions and ask yourself: What is the problem, why is that and do I have a defence? If not, what should I do?”

Practical journalism skills

Sixty-five out of 97 candidates, a 67pc pass rate, succeeded in the big news story and community journalism elements of the practical journalism skills exam.

Chief moderator Faith Lee said: “Some candidates were writing headlines and subheadings for their stories. They are to be reminded that these are not required for the exam and will affect the overall word count.

“Candidates are also reminded to make full use of all their time to ensure they don’t miss questions and timed releases. Every question counts and all should be answered fully.”

e-logbooks

All bar one of the 64 candidates completing the e-logbook section passed.

Chief moderator Darren Isted said: “Over the period of this report we have seen candidates assimilating new ways of working while the industry continues to go through readjustment of remote and hybrid working.

“And once more it has been clear that support is there from employers as we have noted strong results across the board with no major issues reported in any of the key tasks which are faced.

“All of our logbook categories provide a sound test of capabilities and it is also pleasing to note that in our last cohort we saw a significant increase in entries from broadcast journalists, all of whom performed admirably.”

The full list of those who passed the NQJ in 2022-23 is as follows:

Lewis Adams Colchester Gazette
Nathan Atkinson Telegraph and Argus
Madeline Baillie, Rutland and Stamford Mercury
Christian Barnett, Worcester News
Toby Bryant, Newcastle World
Megan Carr, Kent Online
Imogen Clyde-Smith, The Bolton News
Anna Colivicchi, Oxford Mail
Elizabeth Conway, BBC
George Crafe,r BBC
Lois Dean, Warrington Guardian
Bill Edgar, Newsquest North East
Shona Elliot, BBC
Hinna Fazal, Newbury Weekly News
Victoria Finan, Yorkshire Post
Jay Gardner, BBC
Anthony Gillan, Sunderland Echo
Nicole Goodwin, Newcastle Chronicle
Ruby Gregory, MyLondon
Ella Hambly, BBC
Matthew Hancock-Bruce, Worcester News
Adam Harcus, BBC
Megan Hillery, Northampton Chronicle
Megan Howe, Shropshire Star
Jessica Hubbard, National World
Rhiannon James, Caerphilly Observer
Lucy-Ann Jones, Newsquest Midlands
Georgia Langdon. Hexham Courant
Kent Lawlor, Oldham Times
Eleanor Lawson, Wolverhampton Express & Star
Richard Lemmer, Portsmouth News
Laura Longworth, Burnley Express
James Lowson, Bucks Herald
Eloise Maddocks, BBC
Sebastian Mann, Lincolnshire Echo
Daniel Mason, Bauer Media Group
Charlie Masters, Iliffe
Rebecca McGrath, Newsquest
Star McFarlane, BBC
Charlotte Moreau, Hereford Times
Noora Mykkanen, Bucks Free Press
Ayokunle Oluwalana, MyLondon
Jacob Panons, Eastbourne Herald
William Payne, TTG Media
Chelsea Rocks, BBC
Haleema Saheed, Bradford Telegraph & Argus
Kiran Sajan, Basingstoke Gazette
Sofia Ferreira Santos, BBC
Aimee Seddon, Lancashire Post
Federica Stefani, Highland News and Media
Ashleigh Swan, BBC
Matthew Taylor, Grantham Journal
Jack Tooth, Newsquest
Charlotte Vowles, Freelance
India Wentworth, Sussex World