‘Media’@ UCLan

On Friday last week, 30 pupils from Year 9 visited our local UCLan campus to participate in the university’s ‘School Unity Network’, specifically to empower young people with knowledge and opportunities to succeed and progress in Higher Education. Initially pupils attended a presentation in the university’s Harrington Lecture Theatre to learn about access to careers in media and generally studying at UCLan.

Student ambassadors then led pupils on a campus tour that included a tour of the university’s recent Student Centre, Engineering Innovation Building, Library, Sports Centre plus Foster, Greenbank and Darwin Buildings. A personal ‘Student Life’ talk was then presented by 3rd Year Forensic Science student Aaron Anderson, who described their own personal experience of UCLan student life that included information about accommodation, socialising, meeting new friends, joining clubs and getting involved in the many university activities. The importance of responsible budgeting and shopping while a student was also explored.

After lunch in Foster Building our pupils visited Greenbank Building for a lecture with BA Hons Journalism Course Leader Steve Law who presented an introduction to journalism workshop that explored the skills of being a journalist and relevant skills sets the job requires. Pupils were later tasked to prepare two mock video interviews, firstly relating to a story about Wigan Warriors Rugby team practicing ballet to help them professionally on the field, specifically detailing an order of questioning to players and officials at the club about the initiative. The second video related to Gary Barlow ‘gate crashing’ to secretly celebrate a couple’s wedding. The vital order and presentation of video interview technique was explored by Steve and had all pupils immersed in the role.

We would like to thank UCLan, especially Steve Law for providing an excellent journalism ‘taster’ experience for all our pupils, who thoroughly enjoyed their media experience at the university.