Chepstow School at The Oval Cricket Ground

Friday 15 May 2015: London/Chepstow, UK -

Journalism students from Chepstow School in Monmouthshire had the opportunity last Friday to witness first-hand the very best county cricket as Surrey opened their NatWest T20 Blast campaign at the famous Oval cricket ground in south London.

As part of our wider network work in Wales and the Asda Foundation - along with our trustee Alex Mehta - 14 pupils from Year 7 and Year 8 made the near-300 mile round-trip to London as part of their sports journalism work

Guests of honour in an Executive Box, the Year 8’s - who completed the course last year - each acted as a mentor to the Year 7 students and were accompanied by Assistant Head teachers Jamie Goddard and Emma Mellen alongside Luca, a Year 10 media student who filmed the visit as part of his work.

Students were chosen and identified as having specific areas of literacy and skills they needed to develop and each were given different roles for the trip involving instructional writing (rules of T20), researching the history of the Oval and conducting interviews which included the corporate hosts and matchday stewards.

Jamie Goddard, Assistant Head teacher, Chepstow School said: “It was a fantastic experience and hugely enjoyable day for the students alongside the two lucky teachers who accompanied them.

“Their behaviour was impeccable; they really appreciated the executive box and the atmosphere of the game was incredible; a real party. The game itself was exciting with lots of runs were scored.

“We arrived back at school at 1am, a very tired but very satisfied group and will now work hard on putting it all together – writing a match report, newsletter and producing a video.

“It was a fantastic experience for them.”

Alex Mehta, Active Communities Network Trustee said: “It was great that these students could see such an amazing spectacle of cricket in London.

“Chepstow School is a big school for cricket and cricket clubs and it was great to use this opportunity to engage those struggling with literacy to become actively engaged.

“It was a long day for everyone going up and coming back in a mini bus, but the feedback we have got has been excellent. The students will now write up their newsletters, draft newspaper, edit their video blogs and we hope to present these at a future PE Conference happening in Wales later this year.”

For further information about the journalism programme or Chepstow School then call 01291 635777, email jamiegoddard@chepstowschool.net or visit www.chepstowschool.net