A SCHOOL’s 'highly commended newspaper' is now being distributed to new pupils and feeder primary schools.

Fearns Chat, a 16-page paper produced by 13 pupils from Fearns Community Sports College in Stacksteads with journalist Catherine Smyth, was recently honoured in the national Shine Media Awards Community Initiative of the Year.

Aaron Whitworth, one of the reporters, said: “It is incredible that we have done all this. When you see the individual pages you don’t appreciate just how much there is in it.

“We knew as Literacy Leaders it would be our responsibility to write and produce Fearns Chat, but we never thought we could do it."

The pupils also get the chance to design the pages. Josh Sweeney, 14, said: “I have got more confidence, gained interview skills and know how to write a report and I liked using the computer to design.”

Caitin Fleming, 14, said: “I enjoyed being able to make Fearns Chat and to go around school and interview people and find out about what was going on.”