Mayor quizzed by Jill Dando News reporters

By Jill Dando News

Weston super Mare Mayor James Clayton was quizzed by Jill Dando Reporters from Ashcombe Primary School in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. 

He was in the thriving Somerset school to meet their Year 4 students who had been working on their REAL Project – ‘Should everyone be listened to?

He was then quizzed by members of the Jill Dando newsroom, who are being trained by students from Worle Community School Academy (WCSA), part of The Priory Learning Trust. They are also helped by professional journalists including Nigel Dando.

Huge enthusiasm to become Jill Dando News reporters

The school has been inundated with applications from pupils to become reporters, in memory of the late BBC TV journalist Jill Dando who went to WCSA.

During his visit, Cllr Clayton also shared a hot chocolate with four pupils from years five and six.

Cllr Clayton discussed his role as mayor and which of these he most enjoyed.

A report by the school’s reporters said: “Firstly, we asked him ‘what are your main jobs as our mayor?’

“Some of his jobs include chairing council meetings, visiting different organisations, cutting ribbons to open businesses and signing cheques for companies.

“The question that followed this was ‘what is your favourite of these jobs?’ Mr Mayor said he loves talking to young children and meeting new people.”

The mayor also revealed to Ashcombe pupils that his favourite colour was black – because it goes with everything.

Ashcombe Primary School were one of the schools listed in the Real Schools Guide 2020 as of the best schools around.

Boris Johnson, Theresa May, Fiona Bruce and a NASA astronaut

Jill Dando was a former student at WCSA before becoming Britain’s best journalist and the face of Britain. The academy now has a Jill Dando News centre to train up future journalists across their own school and beyond.

Jill Dando News has received praise from a whole variety of people including current Prime Minister Boris Johnson, previous Prime Minister Theresa May, NASA astronauts, world famous authors, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, and the BBC’s Fiona Bruce.

Promoting good news, kindness and positive minds

The aim of Jill Dando News is to publish good news, and also to promote kindness and positivity amongst people both young and old.

Mrs May said: “I am also really pleased to hear that so many students are writing and publishing good news to the media in the name of their former student, Jill Dando.

“Jill, of course, got to the very top of her profession. She did so with warmth, humility and kindness. And so can you.”

The WCSA motto is ‘We Challenge and Support to Achieve’, resulting in students who thrive in all areas.

The academy has a high-achieving and caring ethos, aiming to challenge and support to encourage the full potential of every single student.