Ex-Newsround presenter Adam Fleming gave our CBA Newshound team a lesson in how to understand and report political news and also led a debate on the issues that concern young people today.

Along with hundreds of schools across the country we are taking part in the BBC School Report scheme which encourages students to report the news from their point of view.

On March 15th our team of 20 newshound reporters will be covering the day’s news some of which will be streamed live on the BBC’s national news channels.

The reporters – who had to apply for the coveted positions – have been practising their journalism skills by taking part in weekly workshop with English and Media Teacher Claire Howsam.

As part of the project they put together last’s terms Academy magazine In Press.

Year 7 Student Chloe Burton said: “I wanted to get involved with the CBA Newhounds project as I thought it would improve my writing skills.

“I had some articles published in In Press and it was great to see my name in print.

“Meeting Adam has been inspirational.”

Miss Howsam said: “I set up our involvement with BBC School report as I think it is important for students to be aware of what is going on in the world around them and also to engage with the news.

“There have been huge benefits to students involved with this project – literacy has improved, they have learned to work as a team and also work well with students from other year groups.”

Mr Fleming, who regularly reports for the BBC main news bulletin, also gave the students some advice on how to enter journalism.

He said: “I was really impressed with the students and the issues that they were talking about.

“After being a Newsround reporter I think I will always be involved in workshops with young people and I also like to speak to young people about their views as it is important to know the issues that concern them.”

Our students have also been given a very special top secret assignment which we can reveal details of later next week.