Triumphant trio of trainees celebrate success at NCTJ Awards for Excellence 2017

News Associates graduate Anna Schaverien was crowned Student Journalist of the Year at the annual NCTJ Awards for Excellence.

It is the third straight year a News Associates graduate has won the prize, which is awarded for the best examination results achieved nationally in the NCTJ’s Diploma in Journalism.

Anna joined our fast-track course in February 2017, graduating with A grades across the board and 120wpm shorthand, and is now an intern at The New York Times.

She said: “Anyone who’s been through the process knows that passing the NCTJ is an achievement in itself – and this is the icing on the cake.

“I’m grateful to News Associates for training me and encouraging me to do my very best.”

But that wasn’t all, as News Associates was named the number one NCTJ journalism school in the UK for the third straight year.

We were also awarded the number one NCTJ fast-track course for the sixth straight year, making us the top course in London for ten years in a row.

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WINNING TEAM: (L-R) Head of journalism Manchester Andrew Greaves, managing editor James Toney, head of journalism London Graham Moody and deputy managing editor Graham Dudman

News Associates also dominated the trainee news category at the awards ceremony at Hampton Court.

Manchester graduate Neil Athey beat fellow members of Team NA, Joe Middleton and Samar Maguire, to be named NCTJ Trainee News Journalist of the Year.

Neil said: “It’s fantastic to be selected among other enthusiastic journalists.

“I never expected to even be considered, it’s given me a great confidence boost to know I must be doing something right!”

News Associates graduate and Sportsbeat journalist Katie Falkingham won NCTJ Trainee Sports Journalist of the Year.

This is the second year in a row a News Associates alumnus has scooped this award.

Katie said: “I am over the moon to have won this award. I couldn’t have done it without the help, support and opportunities from News Associates and Sportsbeat.”