School Report

Highlights from School Report 'veterans'

William Howard School in Brampton has been taking part in BBC News School Report Day since it started, so they now know a thing or two about making the news.

Not only have they immersed themselves in the process of running a newsroom on the big day itself, they've found out about shooting films for TV, interviewed a BBC News celebrity, created radio reports, appeared live on the radio and made video diaries about their lives.

It doesn't get much more realistic than that - unless you're actually doing the job of course!

So, for those who are new to School Report, what can you expect?

Here are some highlights from William Howard School ...

Making a short film for TV

Beth, Maisie and Wilson soon realised the time and effort needed to make a TV package!

They had to deal with the same difficulties that BBC reporters deal with on a daily basis - equipment failing, interviewees not being where they said they'd be and also the growing audience that built up around them while they were trying to do their pieces to camera!

They coped brilliantly and professionally.

The icing on the cake came when they realised that celebrity chef Aldo Zilli was in Cumbria and he'd agreed to be interviewed by them.

Armed with a list of questions Maisie and Beth nervously waited whilst BBC reporter Mark Robertson showed Wilson how to use the camera.

The interview went perfectly with the girls asking Aldo some probing questions and Wilson capturing it on camera like a pro.

All that was left to do was get a couple of autographs and write the final piece to camera!

We then talked to him he was really nice and answered our questions.

We asked him what time does his day starts. He said 2.00 then he has meetings and said he writes his script them goes on air at 6.00 and 10.00.

I also asked him does he have his own dressing room , he laughed and said this is the BBC you don’t have dressing rooms but he said there was a make up room where he kept his many ties and then I asked him what was his favourite tie, he said he was very into superstition and has a lucky tie which is blue with red spots.

I loved interviewing him he was very nice and funny, so if I see him on the news with a blue tie on with red spots I will know that’s his lucky tie.

Toby: We came out to the BBC car and talked to Huw, we asked him about all kinds of things including his favourite tie witch is blue with red spots, he makes mistakes daily but his worst is when the video link to somebody doesn’t come up and he spends ages waiting for it.

What about the teachers?

School News Day is busy, action-packed, challenging ... and great fun!

It takes a lot of work and planning, but when it all comes together and the deadlines are met, is it all worth it?

Certainly the students think it's excellent experience, as you've already read.

But what about the teachers?

Listen to what William Howard teacher Jim Connolly has to say ...

Good luck for School Report 2009!

BBC News School Report Day takes place on Thursday 26 March, and taking part this year in Cumbria are William Howard School and Keswick School.

The final debrief at the end of the day.

In charge of School Report for BBC Radio Cumbria this year is Joan Armstrong who'll be reporting for BBC Radio Cumbria and this website on the day.