City of Portsmouth College Journalism

After 60 years NCTJ training at COPC (Highbury) is no more.
The face of the media may be changing, but award-winning training is still vital and the closure is a loss for Portsmouth, Hampshire and the industry.
The industry has already expressed this via stories in the Press Gazette and HoldtheFrontPage.
In recent years plans to broaden courses to teach PR, sport, magazine, and broadcast journalism were met with approval from the NCTJ but not implemented by the college. Similarly plans to develop new L3 Apprenticeship programmes were not supported internally.
No additional resources were needed to set these courses up.
This year’s cohorts have left with Gold Standard Diplomas and joined regional newspapers to begin their journalistic careers.
We wish them well and hope they follow in the footsteps of many other Highbury alumni who continue to trail blaze within the industry.
Read some testimonials from recent alumni in the comments.

Currently listening to a great report courtesy of George Carden at BBC Sussex. George achieved his Gold Standard NCTJ Diploma here at COPC while he worked at the Brighton Agrus. He joined the BBC this Summer. Link in comments.

Final shorthand exams are done, portfolios are all now submitted… it’s the end of a busy and exciting academic year for our NCTJ Diploma students.
As well as gaining all the essential tools to enable them to walk into newsrooms across the country, we have enjoyed guest speakers from Newsquest Media Group Ltd, The News, Portsmouth and Sky News, NCTJ National student conferences and national awards recognition.
Are you ready to begin your own journalism career… join us in 2024/25. Link in the comments.

Fresh from completing her NCTJ L5 Diploma here at COPC, Lucy Hunt is now a full-time trainee reporter at The Argus. Yesterday she covered her first royal visit.
Full story in the comments.

It’s always a pleasure to read stories written by students … this hard-hitting court story was co-written today by two alumni.
George is a former apprentice, while Lucy has literally just completed her Diploma and started work at The Argus this week!
Full story in comments.

Our current full-timers are coming to the end of the 28-week NCTJ L5 Journalism course.
Trainee reporter jobs are lined up for many already.
If you’re interested in joining the next course starting in September 2024 - visit the college website and apply.

Always a pleasure to see fantastic news stories written by our trainee reporters in The News, Portsmouth - especially when they make the front page!
Great story by Hollie Busby about food bank issues in the city.

We are delighted to report that two COPC trainee reporters have been recognised for their hard work at a national industry award event.
The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) held its annual Awards For Excellence at The Royal College of Physicians in London.
Congratulations to Lily Shanagher from the Henley Standard who won Highly Commended in the Student Top Scoop category, and Mirek Gosney from the Newbury News who won Commended in the Community News Project category.
The awards were hosted by alumni John Pienaar - former chief political correspondent at BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC's deputy political editor. John now hosts the drive-time slot on Times Radio.
Both Lily and Mirek are currently studying for their NCTJ L5 Diploma in News Journalism via remote teaching from our Highbury Campus.
The NCTJ is the industry recognised organisation that overseas training in the UK's media industry.

Toby Paine who works as the Local Democracy Reporter in Portsmouth gave an insightful presentation to students at the Highbury campus.
Toby discussed his role - which is funded by the BBC - and how he covers the democratic process in the city, attending council meetings and ensuring the topics that matter are covered for the community via The News, Portsmouth.
A former student himself, Toby is pictured with the students.

Journalism student Nathaniel Lawson attended a national industry conference held at The Financial Times HQ in London.
As the college representative for his teaching cohort, Nathaniel joined the annual NCTJ Student Council event to hear about and discuss issues within the industry.
Guest speakers were: Rukasana Bhaijee, global head of diversity, equity and inclusion, Financial Times; Paddy Davitt, football editor, Newsquest; Jay Gardner, BBC journalism trainee; Luke Jacobs, digital editor, The Guardian; Michelle Johnson, editorial director, Vantage Media; and Mark Waldron, publishing editor, National World
Nathaniel said: "Overall it was a great day. I heard from other students and industry professionals. We spoke about how our courses could be improved and how young journalists can break into the industry. I was pleased to hear that COPC is a frontrunner in teaching AI journalism to their students.”
Nathaniel is pictured with NCTJ CEO Joanne Forbes.

It might be half term but the news doesn’t stop. This week trainee reporter Hollie Busby is spending work experience time at The News, Portsmouth. Check out this story published yesterday - link in the comments.

As Cupid gets ready to shoot those arrows next week … here’s a lovely Valentine’s Day story written by trainee Issy Holliday and published in the Salisbury Journal
Visit the link in the comments.