about us

What is the Young Journalists’ Academy?

The Young Journalists’ Academy (YJA) is a scheme run by Journalism Education Ltd, a not-for-profit company. The main YJA programme is a journalism summer school, held in August in Canary Wharf. Other activities include school visits by YJA staff, the YJA alumni programme and the YJA ambassador scheme.

For more information, download our brochure [pdf format].

Who runs the YJA?

The YJA is run by Journalism Education Ltd, a not-for-profit company. The journalism summer school was initiated in 2006 by the online magazine spiked. The inspiration was a Sutton Trust report which highlighted the inequality in the UK media, showing that 50 per cent of top journalists were educated privately. Journalism Education took over the YJA in 2007.

What is Journalism Education Ltd?

Journalism Education Ltd is a not-for-profit company that was set up in December 2007 and started trading in April 2008. Journalism Education runs the Young Journalists’ Academy.

Who can participate in the Young Journalists’ Academy summer school?

The YJA journalism summer school is open to 16- to 18-year-old London state school pupils. Students from inner-city schools are prioritised.

How do I apply to the YJA journalism summer school?

If you are between 16 and 18 years old and a London state school pupil, please complete our application form.

What is the YJA alumni network?

Past participants in the YJA summer school can join our alumni network and get regular newsletters, invitations to workshops and training to become a YJA ambassador. Join our Facebook group by clicking here.

What is a YJA ambassador?

YJA ambassadors are past summer school students who have received training from Journalism Education to run inspirational seminars and media workshops for peers in their communities.

How can I volunteer with Journalism Education?

Journalism Education runs a shared internship programme with the online magazine spiked. Past YJA summer school students can apply for an internship position by contacting .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Interns help shape the YJA and can also get the chance to help out and speak at the summer school.

What will I learn at the YJA summer school?

During the intense, week-long programme, students learn all the tricks of the trade, experiencing everything from the celebrity splash to the hard-hitting news piece and live community affairs reporting. There are sessions on how to write concise news reports, hard-hitting comment pieces and insightful cultural reviews. Students get a broad overview of the media industry and the different forms of journalism within it. They also get the chance to visit the headquarters of high-profile media organisations, such as the BBC, the News of the World and Reuters.

Will I meet professional journalists at the summer school?

Yes. High-profile guest speakers participate on a voluntary basis, leading tours, inspirational seminars and practical workshops with individual and group exercises.

Why is the summer school only open to London state school pupils?

The inspiration behind the YJA was a Sutton Trust report which highlighted the inequality in the UK media, showing that 50 per cent of top journalists were educated privately. We decided to start a media training programme for state school pupils only, in order to help redress the imbalance and to encourage a more diverse and inclusive media industry in the UK. Currently, the YJA activities are open to London state school pupils only. However, our aim is to expand the programme to allow aspiring reporters from outside London to participate, too. At the moment, due to limited resources and a small number of staff, we are unable to do so. If you are a state school student from outside London who would like to be part of the YJA, please do register your interest with us - we would love to hear from you. Contact enquiries@yja.org.uk.

I am a parent/teacher at a London state school. How do I tell my child/students about the YJA?

You can refer your students to this website and to the Young Journalists’ Academy Facebook group. You can also download our brochure here to distribute among your students. Or you can contact Journalism Education by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

How can I support the YJA?

Journalism Education is a small, not-for-profit company with very limited funds. We have big ambitions but a small budget! If you are interested in supporting us financially, we would love to hear from you.

We offer sponsorship packages for companies and trusts and would be happy to send you more information.

Please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Who funds Journalism Education?

Our main sponsor is Canary Wharf Group. We have also received contributions from the Steven Hargrave Foundation and the Matthew Hodder Trust. The Times (London) is our media partner.