BBC School Report gives our young people the chance to develop their media literacy skills and produce their own stories about subjects that matter to them.
For more information, or to offer story ideas, please contact Miss McGuigan.
Update: Following publication, our team have made the final!
Heathrow’s Third Runway
 Ciara, S3
What effects will Heathrow’s third runway have on the UK?
The consultation has begun.
The talk of Heathrow Airport expanding and bringing to the UK a third runway, has been in consultation since October, 2017. In the next few months, the government will be deciding whether to give the go ahead for this expansion.
The development has brought concerns from the airlines, the public and the surrounding community.
Airline price increase and passenger fees
Airlines fear this expansion would bring price increases from the airport and in turn, would increase the cost of passenger fees. From the estimated cost of £17.5bn to build the runway, we understand the concern from the airlines and passengers. For example, British Airways - as Heathrow’s biggest customer- would be affected by this and want to be assured by the government and Heathrow that fee increases will not be forced upon them.
Environmental impact
Furthermore, our environment would be effected greatly by the third runway. The increase in pollution from the planes will affect the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. To build the third runway alone, lots of CO2 would be emitted into the atmosphere. This might obstruct the UK’s target to cut down 80% of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
Impact on locals
The build and use of the runway could affect the local community. To make space for the third runway, Heathrow will have to clear land  which could result in many people losing their homes. Those whose homes remain would be affected by the constant noise of the planes. An estimated 300 metres of land and 900 homes would be demolished.
Benefits of having the third runway
However, Heathrow’s third runway could bring more jobs to the UK, approximately tens of thousands which would bring a large improvement to the economy. In addition, the third runway would allow more connections with other UK airports and allow us to trade with the rest of the world.
In return, Heathrow will invest millions to improve the local environment, public transport and road networks.

 Is Paisley Ready for A New Chapter?
Caitlin, S2
Paisley town centre is planning on opening a new library on the high street. Is it going to last? Paisley’s government plan on spending a budget of £5 million. Although people are debating whether or not this is too much expenditure. I recently spoke with Councillor, Kenny Maclaren and Renfrewshire libraries Manager, Joyce Higgins about the new library and discussed plans for it.
 
When will the new library be open?
 Kenny: The council still needs to agree to the demolition of the building at 22 High Street in Paisley where they plan to build the new library. If this goes ahead I would expect it to take around 2 years to allow for the demolition of this building and then the construction of the library, some of the options still have to be decided.

  • What is so important about this library compared to any other library?
Joyce: All libraries are important. Public libraries provide free access to books, reference resources, computers and the internet in a comfortable, safe environment. This is particularly important for those who cannot afford to buy books or a computer, and for those who need help and support to use them. Libraries also provide a range of fun events and activities for all ages which make reading and learning fun. Children who go to the library are twice as likely to read well as those who don’t go to the library.
 
Paisley Central Library has been in Paisley’s High Street for 150 years, built by the Coats family for the people of Paisley. Every year we have around 90,000 visits. Many people visit regularly to borrow books, read the newspapers and magazines, for somewhere comfortable to study, to hear authors talk about their work, to use the computers, to get help to use computers, to get help to find out information, or to bring their babies to Book bug sessions where very young children start on their journey to a love of books and reading. The library building is beautiful but old, and in need of repairs and improvements, so the plan is to move the library to a new building is very exciting.

  • What is the difference between the new library and the other ones?
Kenny: The main difference is that the new library will be fully accessible and this will help people who have mobility issues or use wheelchairs. There will be a lift to take people to every floor in the new library.
 
  • Why do you think it is costing so much?
Kenny: There is the cost of buying the building at 22 High Street and the decision to now demolish it. Originally it was planned only to refurbish the building, but once again it was bought by the council officers discovered the building was in worse condition than they expected. Also the location of the building on the High Street with no access from the rear means that it will be more difficult to build and will take longer. All this adds to the cost.
  • Do you think that £5 Million is too much to spend on the new library?
 Joyce: £5 million is a lot of money. Building a new library which will have all the facilities that library users need, including essential things like toilets and a lift which the current library does not have, will indeed cost that much. The new library will be in the pedestrianised part of the High Street in a building which has been empty for a long time. By investing the money to build a library will be attracted to visit and shop there. This is important for the economy of the area.
 
This money is also an important investment in people. Libraries support learning and literacy, which improves the life chances of children and young people, meaning they are more likely to do well in education and eventually in work. Libraries support job seekers with their job searching and in learning new skills to help them find work. Helping people to work is important for the economy of the area. Providing a library also helps individuals and families to save money by borrowing books instead of buying, and using free library computers and Wi-Fi to access the internet.

  • How would you inspire young people to use the facilities included within the library?
Joyce: This is a very good question, and the best way to answer it is to ask young people themselves what they want to see in the new library. Two years ago we invited groups of young people into the library for a series of tours and workshop where we talked about the current library and about what the young people felt was important for them in the new library. All of the information from the workshops is being used by the team working on the design for the new library to ensure that the ideas of young people are included .We plan to have more consultation groups with young people before this design is finalised.

  • You commented that you thought the budget would be too tight. How much do you anticipate the library would need to fulfil its potential?
I’m not sure what the final cost would be. According to the report the council is looking at three options but only one comes close to the current budget of £5 million. I don’t see the point in demolishing this building and spending all that money if we don’t end up with a batter library than we currently have. I have been pressing my colleagues to ensure that Paisley gets the best possible new central library.
 
The library is due to open in approximately 2 years but will it be as good as it sounds? We will have to wait and see.
Wearing make-up, S2 Report
Make-up can come in different shapes, sizes, shades, prices, pigmentation and popularity. When you think of someone wearing make-up, you probably think of a female wearing it. But why?
Let’s go back to 4000 B.C.
  Women would wear make-up to appease the gods.  They would wear make-up to frighten the ‘evil eye.’  Even though men in Egypt wore make-up, it wasn't to make themselves look /appear nicer. For example, King Tut would wear eyeliner to stand out.
 When make-up was invented it was classified as a feminine product due to women complaining about their look constantly. From the year make-up was born, to now, more and more men started wearing make-up.
 
Thankfully, there are many male make-up artists on social media, making it look ‘normal” for boys to wear make-up. These artists inspire people to be brave, be yourself and do what you think will make you happy. Always remember to treat people the way you want to be treated.
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Should Teachers have Guns?
Donald Trump wishes to arm teachers in the US.
Those who contributed to the article: Cameron, Scott, Uzayr, Jacob Mr Mclean, Mrs Blackwood, Ms Keane

The white house indicates it could find funds to train and arm one million teachers. Trump insists on this, despite the lack of evidence that it will stop school shootings. The president proposes paying bonuses to armed trained teachers and has backed the idea three times already.
He is facing opposition from the country’s largest teachers union, school security guards and military veterans. The president endorsed the plan in the White House and on Twitter.
In the recent Florida school shooting at least 17 people died. The shooter was identified as, Nikolas Cruz.
Some teachers in the UK were open with their views on being armed:

100% of the teachers that were interviewed do not think Donald Trump should arm teachers as it would lead to more violence.