Here is the news – direct from QE

QE boys produced a 25-minute video news programme as part of the nationwide BBC News School Report initiative, covering topics ranging from immigration to the impact of the winter’s floods.

More than 20 boys from Year 9 worked closely together to plan and make the programme, which was shot at locations around the School. It included reports on topics including: a visit to the School by Holocaust survivor, Mala Tribich; global warming; the rising cost of going to the cinema; national changes to GCSEs; immigration and unemployment, and an account of how the flooding affected the family of QE boy Aravindh. (Following guidance, only first names were used.)

There was some adventurous use of on-screen graphics during the programme, which was presented by anchormen Keenan and Suraj. Before the final credits, QE’s own weatherman, Ajanthan, presented a national forecast “powered by QE weather systems”.

Working with Head of English Susannah Sweetman, English teacher Tom Quinn led a team in which each boy had his own designated role, ranging from editor to cameraman. The boys were also mentored by Old Elizabethan Peter Sumpter (1968-1974), a member of the BBC 10 O’Clock News production team.

Mr Quinn (seen right with the boys and below with the BBC's Huw Edwards) said: “All in all, the boys worked tremendously hard towards the end product, scripting, filming, directing, and editing it all themselves (with the occasional nudge in the right direction). I’m very proud of all the effort and creativity they have put in.

“It has certainly served to hone their skills in time-management, working towards a deadline, cross-curricular research, writing, technical composition and general teamwork.”

The BBC News School Report aims to interest young people in news of all sorts, while also providing them with an opportunity to inform their audience about the stories which are important to them.

An initial version of the programme can be seen here. The problems with sound quality apparent in some places are the result of technical problems: these will be resolved in due course.