Y9063 - Your voice: write and design the student newsletter

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Start Date: 05/11/2026      End Date: 04/02/2027        Start Time: 12:45      End Time: 15:00        Hours per Week: 2.25      No of Weeks: 12
Fees:      £10.00 (tuition)     £345.00 (overseas)     £0.00 (concessionary)
Tutor: Vicki Parrott        No of Places: 9
Idea Store Whitechapel

Course Overview

Course Overview
This isn't a normal digital skills class - it's a real publishing project. You'll join a team of learners creating the Idea Store Learning student newsletter, a publication shared with the whole community. Open to learners at any level.

What will you learn and be able to do?

What will you learn and be able to do?
* Write articles and features for a real publication so you develop writing skills through something that actually gets read by the community - such as interviewing a fellow learner about their experience, writing a review of a local event, or telling your own story.
* Edit and improve written work so you learn what makes writing clear and engaging, both your own and other people's - such as checking a classmate's article for clarity and grammar, suggesting a better opening, or cutting a piece to the right length.
* Use design tools to create professional page layouts so you develop visual communication skills alongside your writing - such as arranging text and images, choosing fonts and colours that work together, and understanding why white space and alignment matter.
* Plan content and work as an editorial team so you experience real collaboration on a shared creative project - such as deciding what stories to cover, assigning articles, conducting interviews by preparing questions and taking notes, and agreeing deadlines.
* Build a published portfolio you can show employers so you have tangible, published proof of what you can do - such as collecting articles and designs you've contributed to each edition into a folder for job applications or college interviews.
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements
Open to learners at any level. You should be able to write in English - your level doesn't matter as much as your willingness to try. If you have a story to tell or are curious about writing and design, this course is for you.
Prosp User 8

Equipment required

Equipment required
Please bring to every lesson:
A folder
Pens and pencils
Lined A4 paper
A smartphone (if you have one)
A reusable water bottle
You will also need a personal Gmail account to access Google Classroom. If you don't have one, your tutor will help you set one up.
Prosp User 9

How will you know you are making progress?

How will you know you are making progress?
Your progress is the newsletter itself - your work is published for the community. Your tutor will give you feedback throughout. You need to attend at least 80% of your classes.
Prosp User 12
Prosp User 11

Progress opportunities - your next steps

Progress opportunities - your next steps
Other courses you can do after or alongside this course include:
Start or grow your business with digital marketing (level 1–2) - evening
Word, Excel and PowerPoint for work (level 2)
Please ask your tutor for more information or contact us at: digital.ideastore@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Prosp User 10

Other info

Other info
One of our aims is to help you make progress in work or future studies. We also want to help you participate in your communities and become an active citizen. In our classes, you will develop important skills that employers value and that will help you in everyday life. Here’s what you will learn:
Communication Skills: You will learn to speak and write more clearly and confidently. This includes practising conversations for work, writing emails, and filling out forms.
Decision-Making: You will learn how to make good choices by evaluating different options and thinking critically about situations.
Teamwork: You will learn how to work well with others.
Problem-Solving: You will develop the ability to identify problems and find effective solutions, useful in both work and daily life.
Time Management: You will practice managing your time effectively, including setting goals and meeting deadlines.
By improving these skills, you will increase your chances of finding a job, advancing in your career, and becoming an active member of your community.
Prosp User 13

Extra Support

Extra Support
We can help you if you tell us you have a learning difficulty, disability or other support needs. Please tell us when you enrol or in your first class.
Prosp User 14