Anthony Elanga meets the region's youngest aspiring journalists through Junior Reporters programme

Anthony Elanga meets the region's youngest aspiring journalists through Junior Reporters programme

Year four pupils of West Walker Primary School earned an all-access stadium tour to celebrate completing their Junior Reporters programme with Newcastle United Foundation. Little did they know, their final stop in the media suite would include a sit-down interview with a Magpies player.

The Junior Reporters project was organised by the Foundation and delivered as part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme. It engaged hundreds of primary school pupils in Walker, using a passion for football to boost writing and literacy skills in the classroom. To celebrate their achievements at school, pupils were given a chance to sharpen their pencils - and journalism skills - by interviewing the Sweden international.

Pupils wasted no time in digging for the big scoop as they grilled the winger on his move to Newcastle and life in the North East, footballing idols and role models throughout his childhood, and advice on turning passion into a career, in football and beyond.

"It has been a true celebration of writing to inspire so many children to put pen to paper and explore their imagination through the Junior Reporters project," said Phil Cowler, Senior Primary Education Coordinator at Newcastle United Foundation. "Coming to St. James' Park and quizzing a Premier League player in the Media Suite has been an unforgettable experience for the children involved. It gives them a real experience of using literacy outside of school, and even a glimpse at what a future career might look like for them.

"The programme has focussed on inclusion and involved children being asked to create a football-themed haiku poem. Every child taking part received a United As One-branded notebook and pen or pencil to help them continue their writing and literacy learning through Premier League Primary Stars."