Journalism student wins victory after U-turn

A student with cerebral palsy will be able to take part in a college journalism course after a U-turn on the need for him to take shorthand classes.

Kyle Gunn completed a media studies course at Glasgow Clyde College and was hoping to progress to the two- year HND practical journalism course, which includes a shorthand assessment.

Unable to complete the element, the 19-year-old, from Johnstone, Renfrewshire, was told the college could not alter the course without approval from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

The SQA had said it designed assessments to requirements set by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and believed shorthand was compulsory. However, after the NCTJ said shorthand is an “elective” component of the diploma in journalism, the SQA has decided to offer two qualifications at HNC and HND level in practical journalism, one with and one without shorthand. The SQA said: “This means that candidates who are unable to learn shorthand or do not wish to learn shorthand can achieve an SQA qualification at HNC and HND level in journalism. Journalism students at HNC and HND level will be able to decide whether shorthand is relevant to the particular form of journalism that they intend to pursue.”