The JAx Journalism Academy brings together in one place the people, skills, resources and contacts students need to make it as a journalist. Rather than wait for university or beyond we help students get published right now, writing for a range of international sites and publications.

Supported by Pearson UK, it involves giving students the chance to work on published papers and magazines and access master classes from broadcasters and writers. The JAx Journalism Academy is open to any student, on any course across the college.

At the recent Student Awards, Kira Taylor was the winner of the JAx Journalism Academy, proving that the more you put in the more you get from an experience. Kira showed her determination early, by pitching ideas to editors. This bore fruit when she was published in the Times Education Supplement, which then accepted another feature from Kira later in the year. At the same time Kira found other publications willing to take her work and soon built up a broad and lively portfolio.

JAx Academy students have been working on a number of projects recently including a new magazine called Daisychain. Students are also working on a publication written specifically for Exeter College alumni. These are created by students, written by students and edited by students and both have launch issues planned for this coming spring.

Daisychain is a new print magazine aimed at young women aged 16-15, to tackle the growing issues of mental health, eating disorders, anxiety, depression and bullying, but all written in a can-do, self-help, upbeat way. It has a feminist angle to it, empowering young women with tips, help and guides by their peers. Daisychain is also currently looking for sponsors for issue 2 next autumn.

Exeter Flying Post is a well-known brand in the city, having been an arts and lifestyle magazine since 1975. The Academy recently took this over and a re-launch issue is due this spring, again edited and written by Academy students.

We have also formed a close relationship with national lifestyle online magazine The Closet, based in Newcastle and part of the Hit The Floor Media Group, Academy students are working with the editor to create content. More locally, we have close links with online news site Exeter Daily and many students are submitting stories and news for this vibrant site.

Look out for work by the talented members of the JAx Journalism Academy in these and other magazines this spring.

A recent student survey produced overwhelmingly positive results, with 88% of students rating the academy as 8/10 or higher for satisfaction.

What our students say:

The Academy has really helped me grow my confidence in writing articles.”

Helped me realise all the opportunities that are available and the ways work can be published so easily.”

Really, really good, each session is insightful and interesting.”

Very positive atmosphere and helpful.”

It’s given me a lot of inspiration and confidence to email editors and get my work out in the world. It’s also very encouraging and supportive.”

If you would like to find out more about the JAx Academy, why not come along to our next open event or click here for more information.