HarperCollins joined forces with News UK’s established News Academy programme last week for the first ever combined journalism and publishing summer school, held at The News Building, News UK’s London Bridge offices.

Twenty students aged between 16 and 18, selected from state schools and colleges across the country attended the summer school, receiving a unique insight into the worlds of journalism and publishing.

HarperCollins ran a series of masterclasses and training sessions based on the world of publishing, covering topics such as understanding publishing trends, building buzz and creating bestsellers through marketing and PR, and the secrets behind book cover design. In addition, publisher Kim Young interviewed bestselling author Kimberley Chambers on her journey from Romford taxi driver to bestselling author.

Journalistic masterclasses included interviewing techniques with The Sunday Times news editor, Becky Barrow, investigative journalism with The Times’ crime reporter John Simpson, a Vlogging session with The Sun and a quickfire session with News Academy graduate and The Sunday Times reporter Shingi Mararike.

There was also a podcasting masterclass from News UK’s Wireless, with Matt Hall, head of On-Demand Audio and Katharine Kerr, Senior Podcast Producer at Wireless explaining how to make your podcast compelling so listeners subscribe.

The week ended with a wrap up session where the students had the chance to ask questions of senior figures including HarperCollins CEO Charlie Redmayne and The Sun editor Tony Gallagher.

The students also had a VIP guest appearance from HarperCollins author Tom Daley, who answered their questions on the launch of his new book: Tom’s Daily Goals: Never Feel Hungry Or Tired Again.

Several of the students ended the week with offers of work experience at HarperCollins, with student Simran Chavda who impressed cover designers Claire Ward and Holly MacDonald with her cover designs for her writing which she has published on Wattpad, bagging a placement with the publisher’s design team.

Ellie Arbuckle, 18, who as part of a project to identify a future bestseller unknowingly pitched a book that publisher and session tutor Jack Fogg had recently signed, will also receive work experience at HarperCollinsNonFiction.

Daisy Dunlop, Director of Corporate Affairs at News UK said: “The News Academy summer school has become a fixture in the News UK calendar, offering talented students a broad insight into the skills needed to join our industry. It’s brilliant to have HarperCollins on board this year too many of the class of 2018 will go on to do work experience through different departments at News UK.”

John Athanasiou, Director of People at HarperCollins said: ‘We are thrilled to have joined the News Academy Summer School and hugely impressed by the calibre of its students. I am sure there were many budding publishers amongst their number, and we look forward to welcoming Simran and Ellie and other News Academy students when they return for work experience later this year.”