University of Sunderland delivers ‘Teen Spark’ bootcamp as part of NCTJ outreach initiative.

The University of Sunderland has delivered an engaging two-day radio journalism bootcamp as part of the NCTJ’s ‘Into Journalism’ outreach project, an initiative designed to encourage young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to consider careers in journalism.

Funded by an NCTJ grant, the ‘Teen Spark’ programme introduced Castle View Enterprise Academy students to broadcast journalism through the creation of their own radio news show. The project gave participants hands-on experience in a real working environment using the university’s award-winning Spark Radio station facilities.

The course covered essential journalism skills including news values, interviewing techniques, and radio production.

One of the pupils who took part in the course, Finlay, said: “I’ve really enjoyed the last couple of days. I think the best thing was how inclusive it was and how we were doing stuff that would really help us. The teachers were showing us what to do and then also asking us questions, so it felt like we were really a part of it instead of them just speaking or lecturing.”

Another participant, named Lizzie, added: “I enjoyed the past couple of days because we got more into the practical elements of it. It’s more fun, you get to go behind the scenes and try everything out including the equipment. It was very fun.”

The university partnered with The Northern Echo, with journalists attending sessions to help the students develop story ideas and understand multi-platform journalism.

Gavin Foster, editor of The Northern Echo, described the programme as “absolutely fantastic.”

He said: “I couldn’t believe how engaged these young people were. It’s hugely important, I think, not only for themselves to get experience of the workplace and for their own careers, but also for our industry.

“We have to engage more with younger people. There is, I think, a gap between people wanting to come into our industry and the best way to do that and to get more people wanting to come into the industry is to get them to understand what we do and to get them interested and engaged in news and journalism as a career. These projects are hugely important for us to be able to do that.”

He added: “I think we have to recognise our industry needs more socioeconomic diversity. I grew up in a council estate and I went to school not far from where these young people are. You have to demonstrate to them that nothing’s off the table.

“Otherwise, how do we possibly represent the people we’re expected to write about and to inform?”

The NCTJ’s ‘Into Journalism’ outreach initiative, which began in 2023, aims to address the social mobility challenges highlighted by its research. The 2024 Journalists at Work report revealed that 67 per cent of journalists have a parent in one of the top three occupational groups, compared to just 45 per cent of all UK workers.

Lee Hall, head of school of media and creative industries at the University of Sunderland, said: “This scheme is targeted to inspire and support talented people from backgrounds which are underrepresented in newsrooms and media organisations.

“Yes, we are proud to be a talent pipeline for the industry – but whatever young people’s journeys, we want to make sure they are aware of the amazing opportunities in media and equipped to grasp them.”

Lyn Jones, head of qualifications at the NCTJ, said: “We’re delighted by the enthusiastic feedback from students participating in this program.

“The University of Sunderland’s ‘Teen Spark’ bootcamp exemplifies what this initiative aims to achieve – introducing diverse young talent to journalism careers by providing valuable hands-on experience that could inspire their future career paths.”

The NCTJ will award a prize for the best piece of journalism created across all participating centres: City of Liverpool College, Darlington College, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Lincoln, University of Portsmouth and University of Sunderland.