Shine news

Do your students have the scoop of the year? 🕵️‍♀️

Hello everyone,

At this summer’s Shine Awards, one announcement stood out as being the cliffhanger of the day. It was our latest addition to the lineup, rewarding a student who had gone the extra mile to tell a truly remarkable story.

The new prize is called Scoop of the Year and was supported by the London Press Club – who have just announced they are going to sponsor the prize for a second year in 2025.

So, what does it take to make a scoop? Here are this year’s winners:

Highly commended: Alastair Campbell interview
Charlotte from St John’s School, Leatherhead was highly commended for snagging an interview for this key figure in UK politics for 25 years. Our judges said ‘this was a great property to land and a tribute to the reporter’s tenacity.’

Highly commended: ‘Chancellor denies tax cuts are a bribe to voters’
Owen from Hummersknot Academy, Darlington was highly commended for an interview with then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Our judges said that ‘any idea is only any good if it works out: this was a great scoop and very well presented.’

Overall winner: ‘Struggle for a safer life’
Tristan from Abington School, Oxfordshire won the top prize for his interview with a young asylum seeker. Our judges praised this ‘imaginative, immensely topical and very well written’ piece as being ‘boundary breaking and powerful’.

It’s worth mentioning that the top prize winner didn’t require a big name or celebrity. Tristan had an eye for a newsworthy story and a great idea, giving the cover of his school newspaper to a marginalised voice.

Essentially our view on a scoop is… that inventiveness and curiosity are at its heart. In judging student journalism, we so often find that young people think beyond the obvious, asking a question that nobody else is.

Which makes me wonder – what scoop will your students produce in 2025?

Why not set this as a challenge for your students as they begin a school magazine: thinking outside the box might just deliver the win in this prestigious award category next summer.

Even if your school magazine is at a planning or creative stage today, register with the Shine School Media Awards and we can provide guidance and encouragement from now til our entry deadline next May.

If you have any questions, message us direct – shine@stationers.org

Best wishes,

Richard Chapman
Chair, Shine School Media Awards