Join our new intake of students and experience what it is like to be a journalist working for a real newspaper.

The Young Reporter Scheme, which is returning for its seventeenth year, is now recruiting students from years 10 to 13.

Thousands of students have taken part in this scheme over the years with some even going on to work for prestigious media organisations worldwide.

Michael Chappell, who runs the scheme at Darrick Wood School, said: “Our students really benefitted from participating in the scheme.

“Not only has it given them the opportunity to add something fantastic to their CVs, but they have also learned the discipline of responding to a brief and meeting strict deadlines. This is excellent preparation for the world of work.”

Students can sign up for the eight-month programme through their schools.

To find out more about this unique and extraordinary programme, visit youngreporter.co.uk where you can browse around the site, listen to ex-young reporters and read some of the online brochures dedicated to the students.

Pupils will get the chance to write one article per month on topics that interest them.

During the scheme, they are offered the chance to attend various press events and theatre productions.

Students are given the opportunity to interview people from all walks of life and be pushed out of their comfort zones.

They will attend lectures to learn the skills of the trade and whilst many follow completely different careers, they join the hundreds of other students who have benefitted hugely from this programme.

Giulia Chiarito, one of the competition winners last year, said that she found it so insightful, and even though she realised it was not a career for her, she learned many valuable skills during her time doing the programme.

Kathryn Tuck, another winner who has completed the scheme three years running, said: "The Young Reporter Scheme has massively improved my ability to think critically about my experiences and how best to describe them.

“I really love the opportunities that this scheme provides, and I will certainly be participating again next year!"