The Irish News’ award-winning media project for schools has returned with thousands of pupils now looking forward to eight weeks of bespoke newspapers and literacy content.
Starting this Wednesday, the scheme is aimed at 8 to 14-year-olds (Key Stages 2 and 3) and last year engaged mor than 5,000 pupils from 104 schools across Ireland.
With a new theme and newspaper each week, articles written specifically for pupils have previously included interviews on health, wellbeing, and navigating social media, as well as features explaining local and international news.
The latest campaign received a Highly Commended title in the 2024 Business in the Community Responsible Business Awards in the Skills and Education Category.
In 2023, the project also won the Best Publication accolade at the Northern Ireland CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) Pride Awards.
Speaking about the 2025 launch, The Irish News Editor-In-Chief, Chris Sherrard said; “In today’s media age, introducing young people to the power of the news helps develop key communication skills such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
“Through our Irish News Young News Readers project, we aim to explore current affairs from different perspectives, encouraging students to engage with a daily newspaper in an interactive and informed way.
“We hope this initiative will promote critical thinking, life-long literacy skills, and a deeper understanding of the world while supporting the demands of the wider curriculum.”
Sponsorship for this year’s project includes EY, Simplyfruit, Translink and St Mary’s University College.
The project is also supported by the West Belfast Partnership Board, which funds the participation of Irish and English medium schools in west Belfast.
For more information and to sign-up, visit irishnews.com/ynr
