‘WE’RE training the journalists of the future.’

That is the message from The King Alfred School (TKASA) in Highbridge, who said the school’s Jill Dando News Centre (JDNC) has been a big success since it opened just three months ago.

The news centre was set up in memory of Weston-super-Mare born broadcast journalist Jill Dando who died after being fatally shot outside her home in Fulham on April 28, 1999 aged just 37.

It is run by a team of dedicated student journalists who spend their break times finding and writing news stories to showcase the school’s successes to the community.

One member of the news team who has high hopes for the future is 15-year-old Izzy Simmons who said being part of the centre has allowed her to develop her writing skills and she is pleased to have the chance to continue Ms Dando’s legacy.

She said: “I think the Jill Dando News Centre is a really good opportunity to train the journalists of the future.

“It gives us a chance to practise our writing skills and bring stories alive.

“I feel privileged to be part of it and I look forward to the future of the Jill Dando News Team.”

The Highbridge centre is one of two news centres which has been launched in memory of Ms Dando in the last year and two more are set to be launched at St Anne’s Church Academy and Castle Batch Primary School Academy next year.

Another JDNC was also set up in Malawi, Africa in August last year by English teacher Sarah O’ Gorm

The news team is currently working on a range of news stories to pay tribute to Ms Dando and mark the 20th anniversary of her death and teachers across the school have praised the pupils for their hard work.

Ali Wray, English teacher at TKASA, said: “This is an amazing venture and is brilliant for creativity, literacy and positivity.”

And the school’s principal Nathan Jenkins said he is proud of the students achievements.

He said: “The students are excited to find all the good news stories out of their school.”