YOUNGSTERS have been making the headlines at St Osmund’s School in Dorchester.

Year 6 pupils became budding reporters for a day as they looked at life in the media.

The topic formed part of the school’s PHSCE (Personal Health Social and Citizenship Education) day, with various visitors dropping in.

The children were given an introduction to the role of local newspapers by county town reporter Harry Hogger before trying their hands at writing their own news stories.

The result was some impressive efforts and dramatic headlines.

The Year 6 pupils also got to meet local journalist Camilla Thornton and worked with the team from Wessex Fm in writing their own jingle.

Each year group had its own topic on the day so Year 5 looked at safety and personal safety with the help of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and the Weymouth RNLI beach lifeguards.

Year 7 were treated to an educational theatre production as they looked at drugs and peer pressure before following that up with a drama workshop.

They also enjoyed first aid demonstrations and a session with taekwondo instructor Nick Bell.

Crime was the issue of the day for Year 8 pupils as they received visitors from Dorset Police and HMP Dorchester.

Staff also contributed across the year groups by leading sessions on different topics.

PHSCE co-ordinator Paul Absolom said the day was about developing a more rounded education for the children in an exciting way.

He said: “It’s about widening their experiences.

“We are looking at a holistic education and we know the kids do quite well academically but it’s all the other bits we want to look at.”

Mr Absolom explained that the idea was to have a dedicated ‘impact day’ every so often to make the learning more stimulating.

He said: “It’s a high impact day that enhances their education and having the guests in really does help their learning, which is what we want.”