Schools

Young Reporters aged 12 and 13 Lead the News Revolution - The Jill Dando Way

Good News Post

Mar 5, 2026 — 2 min read

Teen reporters from Priory School have been training up the next generation of journalists at Herons’ Moor Primary School

By Schools Correspondent

Teen reporters from Priory School have been training up the next generation of journalists at Herons’ Moor Primary School in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

Poppy and Isabella, both 13, and Rosie, 12, swapped notebooks for mentoring roles as they ran a live Good News Room for 9 to 11-year-olds — sharing the skills, confidence and positivity at the heart of the Good News Post programme.

The initiative is part of the expanding Jill Dando News Network inspired by the legacy of Jill Dando, championing journalism with kindness, aspiration and a smile - with the belief that positive news can make the world better and promote optimism, hope and mental wellbeing.

“It’s nice knowing that we can keep this community growing,” said Rosie, who started her Jill Dando News journalism career aged 8.

“It’s so much fun to inspire the future generation of journalists,” added Isabella.

For Poppy, it’s about connection:

“I enjoy speaking to all the kids and finding out what they enjoy and what their views are.”

The project has already welcomed Jill’s brother, Nigel Dando, former newsroom colleague Janet Williams and news photographer David Kenneford — all of whom began their careers at the Weston Mercury which is now the Mayor’s Town Council HQ.

Headteacher Georgina Tinker called the event “tremendous”, praising the growing confidence of pupils as they uncover and write positive stories from their school and community.

Good News Room lead at Priory School Sarah O’ Gorman said:

“It is wonderful to see such a tremendous legacy for Jill Dando bringing so much brilliance in these Good News Rooms.

Launched in 2011, the Good News Rooms began at Priory School, with the Jill Dando News project starting in 2016 at her former school, Worle School.

Today, the network supports reporters aged four to 21 across the UK and internationally — even reaching as far as Malawi.

To enquire about setting up a Good News Room in your school email news@goodnewspost.co.uk

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