Northern Ireland

Young news readers grabbing the headlines

Pupils from St Bernard's PS and Star of the Sea PS
Pupils from St Bernard's PS and Star of the Sea PS Pupils from St Bernard's PS and Star of the Sea PS

A SCHOOL edition of The Irish News is being published to help pupils improve their literacy skills.

Young News Readers introduces schoolchildren to daily newspapers in an interactive way.

It delivers news knowledge and develops understanding in the classroom, while supporting the demands of the wider curriculum.

The project has been created by St Mary's University College, in collaboration with The Irish News and supported by CBI and Reach Stationary.

Pupils can read different types of articles to help their reading and writing, and then discuss what they read with classmates, parents and teachers.

St Mary's principal Peter Finn said the project was a "rich learning resource".

"Critical literacy encourages young readers in both primary and post-primary schools to actively study texts. It assists young readers in better understanding the local, regional, national and international news they receive from a variety of media sources," he said.

"In an era of change and uncertainty, for example the issue of Brexit, the Irish News has established a collaborative partnership that provides teachers and their pupils with a rich learning resource to further develop critical literacy skills."

The Irish News marketing manager John Brolly said Young News Readers offered schools a great opportunity to engage with "unique learning through the news in the classroom initiative".

"Our special school edition offers students a range of content from food, travel, business as well as local and international news. I would encourage all teachers involved with KS2 and 3 pupils to sign up – www.irishnews.com/ynr," he said.

CBI director Angela McGowan said critical reading was an important part of a child's development.

"This experience works to support a child's analytical and evaluation skills – both of which are highly valued in the world of work," she said.

"Our support for this project chimes well with the CBI's support for breakfast clubs in disadvantaged areas. The business community is well aware that investing in our young people today pays huge dividends when it comes to the future economy."

For more information email j.brolly@irishnews.com.