What teachers and pupils have to say about The Newspaper
"I am writing to tell you what a great resource your newspaper is for school children.
I am an English teacher at St Thomas More School in Manchester and our KS3 classes look forward to reading each issue of The Newspaper. For some pupils this is one of the few occasions that they are exposed to newspapers because they don't have access to them at home. It's great that the articles are so topical and relevant to school children and I only wish you could listen to some of the discussions it generates in class.
Please pass this on to all the journalists who come up with the interesting range of articles.
Thank you!"
Mrs Siobhan Heenan
"I am a year 5 teacher at All Saint’s School, in Whetstone, London. We subscribe to your excellent publication, which all of the children enjoy reading.
Recently in literacy the children were learning about persuasive writing and decided that they would like to write a letter to The Newspaper, in response to an article entitled ‘Endangered’, that appeared in your November/December 2009 issue.
The article generated a great debate in class about conservation and the children have written some passionate and informed letters in response to the article.
Thank you for producing such a great title."
Dominic Neal
"For us, as for many schools, there is a real need to present a range of opportunities to engage young people in reading activity - I really think The Newspaper can support us in doing this in a reliable and efficient way. Although I might use specific articles for specific learning activities in my classroom as part of teaching, I know I can rely on The Newspaper to provide appropriate and stimulating reading material for lots of my students, lots of the time - not just during lessons. Having The Newspaper available during form time or in the library or whilst students are waiting for meetings etc. is a really positive way to promote reading."
Tracy Tyrrell- Lead Learning Advocate for English
"The Newspaper has been a Godsend and revolutionised the literacy hour - it has never been so much fun. It is well written and researched - very concise and the teachers appreciate the subtle and moral approach to advertising. People assume, wrongly, that children do not want to read anymore, that they are more obsessed by the next Pokemon card or the next Gameboy. Harry Potter proved everyone wrong and The Newspaper is the same - the children feel incredibly grown up having their own newspaper and take them home to show their parents. On a purely practical level it has given teachers, bogged down with bureaucracy, a ready-made lesson. It is the one hour in the week where I can actually relax with the children and get to know them as individuals, rather than just as my pupils."
Helen Swanson, Deputy Head at Tregoze Primary School
"Can I first say what an absolute success The Newspaper is with my class. I know it's fashionable to talk about reluctant readers but some of this year's class really are. Not only have they read last issue at every chance they've had but today, when the new copy came, three quarters of them begged to have the old copy to take home and read again before recycling."
Sheila Furniss Templeton CP School
"We immediately recognised the relevance of your paper in helping boys and reading. The boys find the information articles and sporting items especially appealing. As the year developed we started to use the paper in a more structured way and made links with our teaching units.. The English department has also experimented with using The Newspaper for Literacy starters, this is particularly relevant in the light of the Framework with its emphasis on the 6 non-fiction test types."
Jackie Newell (i/c English) Alderman Blaxill School
"Both myself and the children at Clevelands have really appreciated receiving copies of your newspaper at school. It has been used in both Years 5/6 to stimulate oral discussion, develop report writing skills and to encourage pupils to develop their opinions and their skills of persuasive writing, in line with the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy."
Hilary Silvester, Clevelands School
"I would be delighted to recommend The Newspaper. Actually, I have already recommended it to my schools. Below are some of my feelings about The Newspaper:
Students love it - it's bright, colourful and varied. Students of all abilities - especially at Key Stage 3 - enjoy the chance of a quiet read of The Newspaper. And afterwards, they want to share their favourite pages.
It's a real newspaper, but focuses on topics students want to read about in a language they can understand. Adverts, letters, pictures, debates, and viewpoints - all intelligently and creatively pitched at student interests.
It's packed with different non-fiction text types - it even invites reader responses to articles and sets up interesting debates on topical issues.
My students asked if they could keep any copy I put in front of them. Often they said, "Can I take it home to show my brother?" or "When's the next issue out?" An invaluable support in teaching literacy at Key Stage 3 - a model to students who might set up their own newspaper - and a wonderful introduction to the delights of the newspaper.
I have happy memories of classes, who could sometimes be very difficult to please, tucking into their reading time with The Newspaper or sighing when the bell went before they could share their excitement at some particular discovery in its pages."
Frances Gregory, teacher and Key Stage 3 Literacy Consultant
"Congratulations on the newspaper! My eight year old daughter launched herself into the sample copy you kindly sent to my school and is not inclined to return it to me, so much has she enjoyed it!"
R. Lane, Head of English, Brannel School
"An excellent paper. The children really enjoyed the many varied articles. It is bright, uses relevant language and addresses many of the children's interests"
Mrs A. S. Crompton, Stokes Church of England Primary School
"Excellent. Accessible to all readers, which is unique. Variety is great, current reports - great. Children love it. Children reading it out of choice!"
Ally Boardman, Lambs Lane Primary School
"The children really enjoy your newspapers. It is often difficult to find material in newspapers that is suitable for them - this fills the gap. Also it is great you are now producing worksheets to go with it."
Lynne Rees, Teacher
"Please continue publishing such an excellent current affairs resource. The children love your newspaper."
Mike Winkle (Headteacher) Church Eaton Endowed Primary School, Stafford
"Please find our first attempt at writing to your newspaper. The children loved it. At last a paper especially for them."
Mrs June Mooney (English Co-Ordinator) St Lawrence Primary School, Jersey
Pupils
"Dear Editor, Where can I start? I loved the whole newspaper. It was brilliant. It included everything a young person needs to know. I liked the way that you give your readers a chance to include their thoughts. I would without a doubt get this newspaper again!"
Newspaper reader Lisa
You'd never guess,
But its really cool,
How you can bring the world,
Right inside our school.
News, reviews, and interviews,
So many games and competitions,
Oh! Which ones to choose?
Facts and fiction,
Truth and tale,
Games and puzzles they will never fail!
Colour pictures to catch the eye,
Celebs and Gossip
My oh my!
The Newspapers groovy,
Makes reading fun
There's something inside for everyone!
Daniel and Sabie, Broadwater Manor School
"It mixes with the stuff that kids like in the 21st Century."
Charlotte age 11, Wendell Park School
"I think The Newspaper is perfect and can't be improved. It lets children be aware of the world around them. Also this newspaper doesn't insult our intelligence such as some children's magazines."
Amelia, age 11, Mereworth County Primary School
"I like The Newspaper because it's interesting, because it's news that is around you and it is aimed at us."
Adele, age 11 West Malling CEP School