BUDDING reporters are making the headlines after being shortlisted for a national award from the second year running.

Darlington School of Mathematics and Science students last year won national acclaim after their school newspaper, The Wyvern, took one of the top prizes in the Shine School Media awards, beating entries from the independent sector, universities, grammar schools and sixth forms.

This year, the team behind the paper has again been shortlisted for two awards – best community initiative and best online - from more than 200 contestants.

Editor Liam Pape, 15, said: “The Wyvern has about 20 regular contributors from years seven to 11 and has really taken off in the school.

“People complain if they don’t see enough news from us and we must cover half a dozen stories a week for the paper, TV station and our blog.”

The eight-page newspaper is delivered to 2,500 homes in the Branksome, Cockerton and West Park areas of Darlington and is also uploaded online and streamed as a TV programme from the school’s new studios.

Assistant headteacher Peter Haylock said: “The Wyvern team is extremely enthusiastic and it is this dynamism which makes their journalism such a good read.

“To reach the finals of such a prestigious competition, which attracts thousands of entries from students much older than them, is an incredible achievement; to do this two years running is fantastic.”

The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on Monday, June 24 at the Stationers’ Hall in London.