Pupils interview Leyton Orient players Jimmy Smith (left) and Dean Cox

Woodford Green pupils make national news with Leyton Orient and Mz Bratt interviews

Thursday, March 15, 2012
2:45 PM

Aspiring reporters at a Woodford Green secondary school are busy making national news today.

Young reporters from Trinity Catholic High School prepare to interview two Leyton Orient footballers

A roving group of 15 newshounds at Trinity Catholic High School, Mornington Road, Woodford Green, have been working on exclusive interviews with Leyton Orient footballers and rising music star Mz Bratt this morning.

The pupils, aged 12 to 14, are taking part in BBC News School Report and are getting a special mention in a report on the BBC website this afternoon.

Their filmed interviews with League One footballers Dean Cox and Jimmy Smith and grime artist Mz Bratt, who has recorded with Ed Sheeran and Wiley, could also go onto the Beeb’s website and be used in live regional and national BBC broadcasts.

Teacher Julia McKie said: “The students have worked really hard and come up with some great stories.

“They have been relentless in their pursuit of great news stories and have also contacted Lord Coe and even Boris Johnson.”

The children visited Leyton Orient at their training ground at the Old Chigwellians club, Roding Lane, Chigwell while Mz Bratt popped into the school.

English and drama teacher Laura McGrory said: “They asked Dean and Jimmy why they had wanted to be footballers, about their wages, and what they think of their club’s position in the league.

“They’ve been working on this since January.

“They’ve been learning how to write newspaper reports, how to use video cameras.

“It’s developed their confidence.”

Other scoops the group has worked on include an interview with 99-year-old Joyce, the neighbour of pupil Dominic Gibson, 12, and news of the school’s charity work.

All the filmed news reports will be uploaded onto the school’s website.

Dominic said: “It’s been great fun.

“My favourite bit so far was interviewing Joyce who came in to school to talk to us about her memories of high school.”

Visit www.trinity.redbridge.sch.uk to see the pupils’ reports later this afternoon and go to www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport for more details of the BBC project.