Student scoops reporter role at education conference

Diana Read will be the only student journalist at the Association of College’s (AoC) Annual Conference and Exhibition. This is a three-day event involving a series of workshops and lectures about teaching and learning.

The 17-year-old from Wolverhampton will write two articles for the conference daily activity report and update online feeds throughout the event. She will also interview event delegates such as student reps and volunteers about issues within the education sector.

“I see the event as an opportunity to learn journalism by doing it,”said Diana, who studies English Language and Literature, History, Psychology and Creative Writing. “The AoC's communications team will guide me through my reporting and other processes such as writing and issuing press releases. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The conference takes place from 17-19 November at the ICC, Birmingham. Speakers attending include Education Minister, Nicky Morgan MP, Skills Minister, Nick Boles MP and actor and writer, Lenny Henry CBE.

“There are lots of issues around education that I’d like to cover at the conference,”Diana continued.”These include tuition fees and the UCAS university application process. I plan to study journalism at university, so this will be a valuable experience to mention in my application and personal statement.”

Diana gained her reporter role by responding to an appeal by the AoC for student reporters to cover the event. She applied for the position by giving details of her studies, interests and personal experiences. These included spending her summer holidays on a volunteer work placement programme in Borneo through volunteer organisation, Camp International.

She also has her own blog and has been working on a student newspaper at the college.