The best young reporters from across south London and beyond attended an awards ceremony last night organised by this newspaper and its sister titles.

They were chosen from 764 students taking part in our Young Reporter scheme that ran in 91 schools over the past year.

The 14 winners had all researched and written a series of articles, from interviews to features and breaking news, which they then published on our website.

The judges said that this year’s entries were the best since the scheme launched four years ago, with fierce competition for the top slots in each category at both age groups, years 10 and 11 and years 12 and 13.

In the end Sylvia Donhue-Hibberd, of Bancroft’s School won the top award for the best reporter in the younger age group and Elleanor Larson, of Dartford Grammar School won it in the senior group.

They were both presented with Kindle Fires on the night while other winners picked up £50 gift vouchers or digital photo frames in the best picture category.

Miah Kaur of Oaks Park High School, won the award for the most read story, after 2,771 people read her online article about protests by the Sikh community in London against plans to execute a professor in India for alleged involvement in a bombing in 1993.

The students said how beneficial taking part in scheme has been. Miss Donhue-Hibberd said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the young reporter scheme. It enabled me to develop my writing skills and gain useful experience in journalism.”

Miss Larson said: “At times it has proved a challenge, but I’m really pleased that I persevered and am thrilled to have won.”

Judge Andrew Parkes, group managing editor for Newsquest south London said: “The Young Reporter scheme never ceases to amaze me. This year’s entries were without doubt the best yet and the project just continues to go from strength to strength.

This year more even more stories were strong enough to be picked up by our news teams and used in our newspapers – now that’s a sure sign young reporters are doing a good job.
I’d like to congratulate everyone who took part and completed the project – well done to you all.”

Read articles by students taking part in the scheme young at yourlocalguardian.co.uk/youngreporter

SIGN UP FOR 2014
Schools interested in participating in next year’s Young Reporter scheme, which for the first time will include social media, should contact the coordinator, Diana Jarvis now.  Mrs Jarvis said: “This is an exciting and rewarding scheme and if you think your school may be interested contact me by email djarvis@london.newsquest.co.uk or by telephone on 020 8722 6378.”

 

Young Reporter Awards 2013 - winners

BREAKING NEWS
• 10/11 Zahra Ali, Brentford School for Girls
• 12/13 Emily Walford, Ursuline High School

BEST PHOTOGRAPH
• 10/11 Molly Haynes, Bromley High School 
• 12/13 Emma Johnson, Streatham and Clapham High School

BEST EVENT
• 10/11 Dylan Danno, Tiffin Boys’ School
• 12/13 Skye Baker, Coloma Convent Girls’ School

BEST VOX POP
• 10/11 Grace Hannaford, Beaverwood School for Girls
• 12/13 Titi Odusanwo, Wallington County Grammar School

BEST INTERVIEW
• 10/11 Mia Forbes, Nonsuch High School
• 12/13 Ella McLeod, Streatham and Clapham High School
•
BEST FEATURE
• 10/11 Sylvia Donhue-Hibberd, Bancroft’s School,
• 12/13 Elleanor Larson, Dartford Grammar School

EXTRA MILE AWARD
• 10/11 Eva Farenden, Waldegrave School 
• 12/13 Emma Johnson, Streatham and Clapham High School

MOST READ STORY
• Miah Kaur, Year 13, Oaks Park High School 

BEST REPORTER
• 10/11 Sylvia Donhue-Hibberd, Bancroft’s School
• 12/13 Elleanor Larson, Dartford Grammar School