As a school we appreciate the work of Lichfield Live in terms of keeping local news high profile and for making sure everyone in our school community knows what is going on right on their doorstep.

Consequently, amidst a busy time with Year 12 settling in and Year 13s sending off UCAS forms, we are keen promote Lichfield Live’s Journalism Competition which they have shared with us:

“Lichfield Live are proud to announce the launch of our brand new journalism competition open exclusively to Y12 and Y13 students in the Lichfield and Burntwood area.

Winners will see their articles published on the Lichfield Live website to an audience of over 100,000 visits each month, and a cash prize of £100 for 1st place, £50 for 2nd place and £25 for 3rd place will be awarded to the top three entrants.

This is a valuable opportunity for any students considering a career in media or journalism, to add to UCAS statements and to potentially have their voice heard on a variety of issues facing young people today.

We are looking for students to create and submit a short opinion piece on any of the following four topics:

  1. How do you view local facilities specifically aimed at teenagers and young people in your local area and do you feel you have a voice?
  2. Is enough being done locally to address issues around climate change and protecting the environment?
  3. What does the future hold for the local area and do you see yourself playing a part?
  4. Do you see social media as a force for good in learning more about your local area or are there other ways to gather information locally?

Submissions are to be no more than 750 words, so writing in a concise manner is essential. Schools are free to promote, launch and manage their entrants as they wish, but entries must be the sole work of each individual student.

Entries are to be made on the Lichfield Live website by visiting the link below:

https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/schools-competition-sept-2022/

The competition will close at midnight on Friday 28th October. Entries will be judged shortly after by a panel of Lichfield Live Directors and we will contact the winning students and school with the results.

As well as their submissions being published, winners will be acknowledged in a future article on Lichfield Live and will also receive a certificate.

We hope your school will support us in finding and promoting our local, talented future journalists. If you require any further information about the competition or Lichfield Live itself, please visit our website www.lichfieldlive.co.uk or contact us at schoolscomp@lichfieldlive.co.uk.”

Helen Barratt, Assistant Headteacher, said: “We are delighted that this competition has been put out there and would encourage students, especially those with an interest in journalism, to compose an entry. Lichfield Live are a valuable source we use to flag up local, current affairs to our students and this is a great initiative on their part.”