This summer, London’s Stationers’ Hall shimmered with youthful energy as the Shine School Media Awards crowned the brightest student voices across the UK. Now in its 14th year, the awards champion excellence in school newspapers, magazines, podcasts, and multimedia, celebrating creativity, journalism and team leadership. Free to enter and open to all UK secondary schools, Shine inspires students to develop media skills with real-world impact 

What is Shine?

Shine is a national competition intended to nurture and showcase student talent in print and digital media. Entries can include school newspapers, magazines (print or PDF), websites, and podcasts. Students gain invaluable experience in writing, editing, design, copyright compliance, and even marketing, boosting both confidence and university applications.

The awards culminated in a grand gala ceremony in central London, where shortlisted teams met industry professionals, took part in masterclasses, and celebrates on stage.

LoveReading4Kids MD Deborah Maclaren is one of the Judges of the competition and she commented, “Judging the Shine School Media Awards is an absolute joy. The talent, creativity and journalistic instinct shown by these young people is genuinely inspiring. At LoveReading4Kids, we believe in the power of storytelling and the written word and it's clear that the next generation of writers, editors and creatives are already shining brightly. The future of media is in safe hands.”

Richard Chapman, Chair of Shine said, "The Shine competition exists to encourage the crafting of stories and visuals, shared by our nation’s young people with their peers. That could be anything from an essay giving flight to a passionate cry for help, the striking image of a classmate discovering who they are, or the vividly-told record of incredible achievement on the sports field.

By recognising the innovation and creativity of students with an awards ceremony, we are not only celebrating their hard work and exuberant voices, but also illuminating potential paths into the world after school. By inviting schools from all over the country to partake, we are also creating a forum for them to share their unique experiences and perspectives.

We seek to reach schools nationwide, encouraging and rewarding the best at our annual awards ceremony and then connecting our winners directly with movers and shakers within the communications industries."

Shine 2025: The Winners

Held on 30 June 2025, this year’s Shine Awards honoured schools demonstrating exceptional journalistic flair and innovation:

King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls scooped the prestigious London Press Club Scoop of the Year, for an interview with knife‑crime survivor Natalie Queiroz. Grim yet inspiring, “full of drama and packed with great quotes” 

Oasis Academy Hadley, Enfield, won Rising Star for their podcast A question of colour: Black boys in education. Praised for its thoughtful exploration of complex social issues, this podcast also earned high commendation in Best Audio and Designated Topic 'Leaders of Tomorrow' categories. 

Maximillian Jen, publisher of The Scientific Latymerian from Latymer Upper School, was awarded the Terry Mansfield CBE Award for Tomorrow’s Talent, celebrating leadership and editorial savvy.

Osborne School, Winchester, was recognised with Editor of the Year, highlighting outstanding student leadership in media production.

Durham’s The Durham Eye also received Editor of the Year, lauded for its inspirational direction and capacity to engage diverse readers

Additionally, the Scientific Latymerian shone with multiple accolades: Highly Commended in Best Overall Content and Best Magazine categories. Their Year 12 editor “Maxi” not only won Tomorrow’s Talent but also received an invitation to return as the next event’s keynote speaker .

The full list of winners and highly commended entries can be viewed here.

Why Shine Matters for Young Readers

  • Empowers student voices: By reporting on real-world issues - from knife crime to race and identity - students explore stories that resonate with their communities, educating while revealing personal growth. 
  • Builds practical skills: Competition entries demand rigorous journalism, creative design, and thoughtful multimedia production, which are all valuable preparation for the worlds of academia and industry 
  • Forges connections: Gala attendees enjoy industry-led masterclasses and networking opportunities, connecting future journalists with professional mentors .

What’s Next?

The Shine 2026 competition opens early this autumn, with registrations launching on 8 September 2025 and entries due by May 2026. Schools itching to empower student voices and enrich curricula through journalism are encouraged to get involved here.

For enthusiastic young writers, photographers, podcasters, and designers, Shine offers more than just awards; it’s a platform for discovery, collaboration, and launching letters of recommendation, CVs, and portfolios into the spotlight.

In Summary

The Shine 2025 Awards showcased how deeply impactful student media can be. From gripping interviews to insightful podcasts and eye‑catching layouts, these young creators exemplified ambition, empathy, and editorial excellence. As we celebrate their achievements, LoveReading4Kids salutes the next generation of storytellers, and encourages even more schools to join Shine’s inspiring journey.

Browse our features: Inspiring the Next Generation of Storytellers: 15+ Books to Spark Young Writers’ Imaginations and Books for Children About Journalism and Young Reporters

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