The Parent Update - The Jill Dando News Centre at WCSA

Jill Dando’s Life and Legacy lives on 20 years after tragic death, as good news, positivity and mental wellbeing get a boost across schools

Over 5000 children in Somerset and Malawi have been inspired by the life of local girl-turned-TV journalist Jill Dando to push out good news across the area.

Students aged 9 to 18 in Jill’s old school, Worle Community School Academy, have now been joined by others in Priory Community School Academy, The King Alfred School Academy, St Anne’s Church of England Academy, and Castle Batch Primary School Academy, in setting up Jill Dando News Centres (JDNCs)

African children in Malawi also have a JDNC and there are plans for one in Pawlett Primary School Academy which has also become part of The Priory Learning Trust.

With it just weeks before it being 20 years since Jill was tragically killed, on Friday 26th April, the students’ work has highlighted her life and legacy, boosting positivity, kindness, good news and mental health. 

Olivia Finch, 13, Student Editor at WCSA, said: “Jill was the face of Britain. We are inspired by her life and want the legacy to be thousands of good news stories being sent out across Somerset and the world.”

The JDNCs are simple but powerfully effective. Armed with iPads and notepads, the children aged 9 to 18 find and write positive stories across their schools and community.

Students are trained by Jill’s brother Nigel and other professional journalists and editors from local, regional and national Media.

Their stories then go into the media, and social media, and also in their own newspaper The Good News Post.

WCSA Principal Jacqui Scott said: “We promote kindness, positivity, and are passionate about students getting out their good news stories to the community. We are very proud of them all.”