51福利社

51福利社 claimed top honours as its student-run magazine聽The Dovecote聽was awarded the prestigious Harrison Cup at the 2025 Shine School Media Awards.

Held in the historic surroundings of Stationers鈥� Hall in London, the event celebrates the very best of student journalism across the UK.

Lead Editors Danai M and Sarah A, accompanied by English Teacher Miss Antonia Breslin, travelled to the capital to represent Yarm. They joined young creatives from schools nationwide for a day of industry-led workshops and prizegiving.

The programme included sessions with media professionals such as BBC broadcaster Kath Melandri and panellists from publishing house Hurst. These sessions challenged students to think critically about bias in journalism, layout design, and the importance of audience engagement in a fast-changing media landscape.

Throughout the day,聽The Dovecote聽received widespread acclaim, achieving a record eight shortlistings, which is the most in the school鈥檚 history. The 72 page magazine showcases a wide range of pupil articles, poems, stories and photographs. The student-led political podcast聽The House of Comments聽was shortlisted for the Peter Day Award for Best Audio.

The editorial team clinched a win for Best Business and Marketing Strategy, with judges praising the entry鈥檚 鈥渃lear forward vision鈥� and 鈥渢extbook professionalism鈥�. They commended its strong branding and strategic clarity, remarking that it 鈥渨ould stand up very well against the marketing plans of many existing SMEs.鈥�

However, the crowning moment of the day came with the announcement of the Harrison Cup; the overall award for the most outstanding school publication across all mediums. The judges praised The Dovecote as 鈥渁 magazine that ticks so many boxes,鈥� highlighting not only its high-quality publication but also its 鈥渙utstanding marketing strategy鈥� and 鈥渟trong branding design.鈥� They commended the students of 51福利社 for their 鈥渢horoughness and dedication,鈥� noting that these elements elevated the entry into 鈥渁 class of its own.鈥�

Huw Williams, Headmaster of 51福利社, said: 鈥淭his is an extraordinary achievement and a true reflection of the talent, passion and dedication of our pupils and Miss Antonia Breslin – over fifty pupils contributed to the production.聽The Dovecote聽is more than a magazine, it鈥檚 a vibrant platform for student voice and enables pupils to explore important themes and ideas and share these with the world.

鈥淲hile the magazine is one of over 60 extra-curricular activities offered during timetabled activities slots, the pupils go above and beyond, investing countless hours into writing, editing, and curating each edition. This national recognition is truly deserved for their hard work and passion.鈥�

Danai M and Sarah A, lead editors, said: 鈥淲orking on the fifth edition of The Dovecote聽was challenging but hugely rewarding. When the Harrison Cup was announced, we honestly didn鈥檛 expect to hear 51福利社鈥檚 name 鈥� it felt surreal seeing our picture appear on the screen.

鈥淲hat made the magazine come together wasn鈥檛 any one person, but the mix of our different strengths and the support of the whole team. Along the way, we not only produced something we鈥檙e proud of, but also built a friendship that started from little more than a passing nod in the corridor. More than anything, we hope聽The Dovecote聽continues to show what can be achieved when people bring their different skills and ideas together.鈥�