Frequently asked questions



Our journalism undergraduates will help your students create their own newspaper which is then professionally printed by Mortons Print, Horncastle.
How will the project benefit our school?
There are many positives to the project. Firstly, it fits with literacy work in the curriculum and also project work involving the media. It also allows students to work with industry professionals and gain an insight into newspaper production without having to leave school. As an enrichment tool it works extremely well, allowing students who may not be high achievers in certain areas contribute to a worthwhile and tangible project with real results.
It helps develops students' self esteem, giving them the confidence to interview adults, speak in front of their peers and see their hard work in print. It is also a great tool for boosting communication with parents and carers, and the school community. Copies of the paper go home with students and some schools have distributed extra copies to their communities, showcasing the work of the school and helping to create links within the community. For more on this subject please see the How it works page.
How many students can take part in the project?
On the day itself we usually work with between 25-30 students, but this can vary dependant on the requirements of the school. We have done days with ten students, but also 90 primary pupils. However, any student in the school can submit a story or picture for the paper prior to
the day itself. We do find the best papers are the ones that have a cross section of stories from all year groups.
What will the students do on the day?
On the day itself your students will take on various roles involved in producing a newspaper. With our help they will come up with story ideas, do research, interview, write up and edit their stories. They will also take pictures and then help in the design of news pages. In addition, they will take part in a press conference, decide on a name for the paper and debate which story should go on the front page. For more details please see the How it works page.
What do we need to prepare in advance?
It helps if as many stories as possible are prepared in advance, especially those from across the school community. However, we always do a certain number of articles on the day - this gives the students a real buzz of working in a newsroom to a deadline, and often students will come up with interesting and new story ideas during our morning conference. For more details see the Newspaper Day checklist page.
What facilities do the School Newspaper team need?
We are happy to work from any classroom or workspace but do need some space to set up our computers and room to enable us to work effectively with your students.
How long will it take before we receive the papers?
We aim to get your papers printed seven to ten days after our visit, but this can depend on the length of time and how many corrections and changes are needed.
Which schools have taken part?
Primary and secondary schools, and sixth form colleges, from across Lincolnshire have taken part in the project since its start in 2009. They include:
Allerton Primary School, Immingham
Axholme Academy, Crowle
Banovallum School, Horncastle
Billingborough Primary School, Lincoln
Bursar Primary Academy, Cleethorpes
Caistor Grammar School, Caistor
Caistor Yarborough Academy, Caistor
Canon Peter Hall Primary School, Immingham
Cherry Willingham School, Lincoln
Coomb Briggs Primary School, Immingham
Cordeaux Academy, Louth
De Aston School, Market Rasen
Eastfield Primary School, Immingham
Ellison Boulters Academy, Lincoln
Frederick Gough School, Scunthorpe
FTC Academy, Scunthorpe
Great Coates Primary School
Healing Primary School, Grimsby
Humberston Academy, Grimsby
Huntcliff School, Kirton in Lindsey
John Leggott College, Scunthorpe
John Spendluffe Technology College, Alford
John Whitgift Academy, Grimsby
Kidgate Primary Academy, Louth
Melior Community College, Scunthorpe
Monks Dyke Tennyson College, Louth
Morton Trentside Primary, Gainsborough
North Lindsey College, Scunthorpe
Oasis Academy Nunsthorpe, Grimsby
Oasis Academy, Grimsby
Ormiston South Parade Academy, Grimsby
Peele Community College, Long Sutton
Priory Academy, Lincoln
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Horncastle
Sir John Nelthorpe School, Brigg
Spalding Grammar School, Spalding
Stallingborough Primary School, Grimsby
Stanford Primary School, Grimsby
St Bede's Academy, Scunthorpe
St Michael's Primary School, Lincoln
South Axholme Academy, Epworth
The Holt Primary School, Lincoln
Thomas Cowley High School, Donington
Waltham Leas Primary Academy, Grimsby
Welton St Marys Primary School, Lincoln
William Farr School, Lincoln
Woodlands Primary School, Grimsby
Willows Academy Grimsby
Winterton Community Academy, North Lincs
Wybers Wood Academy, Grimsby
How many schools have taken part in the project since it started?
By the end of the 2017/18 academic year we have completed 183 separate school newspapers.
How many papers have been printed?
By the end of the 2017/18 academic year we have printed over 330,000 newspapers.