+
+ menu
+ BBC Young Reporter | Reading School
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
2019
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Reading School's BBC Young Reporter Team… Ready To Go!
+
+
+ • by Mr Baldock
+
+
Here are our intrepid Young Reporters, chomping at the bit to bring you lots of terrific stories about Reading School, our local area and the amazing things happening here. And rest assured, this will be a Brexit-free zone.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
What's Next For Reading Prison?
+
+
+ • by Tom S-R, Ben S-R
+
+
After being shut 63 months ago, Reading Gaol has remained unused. Reading East MP Matt Rodda says, during this time, "The government has spent over one million pounds on just maintaining the site … whilst homelessness has increased in our borough [Reading East] by 700%." Currently a feasibility study is being undertaken by Theatre and Arts Reading (TAR) and is nearing completion. Mrs Scott, the TAR Executive Secretary said TAR hopes "to have some sort of public announcement in March which will update everyone on what is happening."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
What Is 'In The Patient's Best Interest’?
+
+
+ • by Aadith C
+
+
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has announced they are polling their fellows and members on their stance on assisted dying. The poll opened on the 5th of February and it closed on the 1st of March. The RCP is yet to release the results. The debate has been reignited by a public push to look into what the patient’s ‘best interest’ is in many different scenarios.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Video Games - Virtual Fantasy Or A Virtual Prison?
+
+
+ • by Kamran S
+
+
With Fortnite Season 8 unveiled last week, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Siege Year 4 beginning yesterday and two of the world’s most anticipated games, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, just released, there’s no better time for young people to be educated on how to stay safe while gaming. Xbox player and Rainbow 6 enthusiast Kamran S reports on the issues to do with bullying in video games.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Tennis Club Needs To Relocate As Redevelopment Plans Are Called ‘Out’
+
+
+ • by Hal R-D
+
+
A ninety-nine year old sports institution is looking for a new home; club member and BBC Young Reporter Hal investigates.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Could Sky-High Aims Bring Reading Down?
+
+
+ • by Ben P
+
+
On February 6th, 2019, Berkeley Developments started to tear down the old Homebase and Toys R Us in Forbury Retail Park, Reading, to turn it into a housing estate. Homebase and Toys R Us are some of the many buildings being knocked down in the area to make way for new high-rise flats, but could reaching for the sky also have a negative effect that brings the people of Reading down?
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
A Possible Autism-Anorexia Link Has Been Found, So What Are We Doing About It?
+
+
+ • by Luke H
+
+
On the 27 February 2019, a possible link between autism and anorexia was discovered by Autistica, a charity devoted to making autistic people happy and healthy. They stated findings that suggested one in five women with anorexia may also have autism. Their Head of Science, Dr James Cusack, has pushed for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to change their guidance to reflect this.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Book Week - Real Life Issues Inspire Sarah Govett
+
+
+ • by Aadith C, Adit S, Adi V
+
+
Sarah Govett, author of the critically acclaimed ‘Territory’ series, discussed with us writing, life and everything in between.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Student Survey Shows Rosa Parks Is Most Inspirational Woman Ever
+
+
+ • by Tom S-R, Ben S-R
+
+
Tomorrow is International Women’s Day (7th March 2019) and we went around our school finding out who people in the school environment thought was the most inspirational woman ever. 90 students and staff took part in the survey which crowned Rosa Parks as the winner.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Are The Roads Around Your Home And School Safe?
+
+
+ • by Riley C, Oliver C
+
+
The Royal Berkshire Hospital earlier this month released a study revealing that there has been a 45% increase in accidents involving children and vulnerable pedestrians walking in Reading between February 2018 to 2019. Now, many students may not feel safe when walking in Reading.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
The Finished Product
+
+
+ • by Mr Baldock
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
diff --git a/_site/2019/03/06/a-possible-autism-anorexia-link-has-been-found-so-what-are-we-doing-about-it.html b/_site/2019/03/06/a-possible-autism-anorexia-link-has-been-found-so-what-are-we-doing-about-it.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..19ce161
--- /dev/null
+++ b/_site/2019/03/06/a-possible-autism-anorexia-link-has-been-found-so-what-are-we-doing-about-it.html
@@ -0,0 +1,251 @@
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ A Possible Autism-Anorexia Link Has Been Found, So What Are We Doing About It? | Reading School
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
On the 27 February 2019, a possible link between autism and anorexia was discovered by Autistica, a charity devoted to making autistic people happy and healthy. They stated findings that suggested one in five women with anorexia may also have autism. Their Head of Science, Dr James Cusack, has pushed for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to change their guidance to reflect this.
+
+
Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a lifelong developmental disability that affects one person for every hundred in the UK.
+
+
Anorexia, also known as Anorexia Nervosa, is an eating disorder that makes people try to keep their weight as low as possible. It can affect both men and women, but it is most common in mid-teen women.
+
+
More research is required, but the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust’s Eating Disorder Service say almost 35% of its patients have autism.
+
+
Will Mandy, a leading autism researcher, believes that high levels of stress and anxiety caused by not being diagnosed with autism in childhood and adolescence can contribute to severe mental health conditions.
+
+
Mr Jackson, Learning Support Assistant/First Aider at Reading School, said “Anorexia has been linked to many other mental health disorders, and other mental health disorders have been linked to it. Autism Spectrum Disorder is known to make other mental health disorders more common. So yes, they are probably linked in a way”.
+
+
Caroline Norton, from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust’s Eating Disorder Service (and a former patient at the facility), recently stated that “our autistic patients can have one-to-one sessions”. This is to make the patients feel more comfortable and able to talk about any concerns about anorexia, without feeling like people will judge them for it.
The Royal Berkshire Hospital earlier this month released a study revealing that there has been a 45% increase in accidents involving children and vulnerable pedestrians walking in Reading between February 2018 to 2019. Now, many students may not feel safe when walking in Reading.
+
+
Reading School’s BBC Young Reporters conducted their own poll of fifty students which reinforced this point and revealed that 76% worry how secure when commuting on foot to and from school.
+
+
During the most busy periods immediately before and after school starts and finishes, Reading School boys face danger from motorists who violate the Highway Code. Simon Beasley, the Network and Parking Manager for Reading Borough Council, told us that six hundred and thirty three tickets were given out in January 2019 for offences such as parking on double yellow lines. Our eyewitnesses have told us that it is this kind of careless driving which can often pose the biggest threat.
+
+
Thirteen year-old Joel told us: ‘I was running along London Road, in the centre of Reading and a white van pulled up onto the double yellow line beside me, without looking and his wing mirror hit me in the back, however I am lucky he wasn’t going too fast.’
+
+
A similar experience was outlined by Kush, a Year 8, ‘I was walking down Queens Road and a car pulled up on a double yellow line, opposite another car parked on a double yellow line and the road was blocked. This was a major issue as many cars were trying to perform U-Turns to escape the traffic. I saw a pedestrian who nearly got ran over by a car pulling onto the curb to turn around’.
+
+
The effects of this behaviour can be seen in the morning when commuting motorists going might not stop at red traffic lights, or park dangerously to drop people off at their destination faster. According to Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in 2017, five hundred pedestrians under the age of sixteen were killed or seriously injured in accidents from 7:30 to 8:30 am, and 3:00 to 5:00pm on a school day. Also, nearly one third of child pedestrian casualties were on their way to or from school at the time of the accident.
+
+
There are three main types of collisions on roads: pedestrian/cyclist collision, a side impact collision and a head-on collision. The Road Safety Foundation provided our BBC Young Reporter team with evidence that pedestrians and cyclists are more susceptible to injury even at lower speeds.
Reading School’s Head Master Mr Robson has recently given students advice on how to keep themselves safe when walking home, recommending that they do not take out their mobile devices and instead pay attention to their surroundings. RoSPA also says that young pedestrians should wear reflective clothing during winter months and practice the Green Cross Code.
Sarah Govett, author of the critically acclaimed ‘Territory’ series, discussed with us writing, life and everything in between.
+
+
Ms Govett, who studied law at Oxford University, said that her career as an author kick-started when she took maternity leave from her job running a law firm. She said, “I would write in my free time. When my daughter went to sleep, I would write. It just sort of took off from there.”
+
+
Ms Govett commented on her lack of fondness to plan, saying that the first book went completely from her mind onto the paper as she didn’t have a publisher. However, she said that the second book required her to write a ‘summary of the events that would happen in the book’.
+
+
She said, “The second book was slightly restricting as I had a publisher and they wanted to know what was going to happen. But what I produced was nothing like the book but luckily they were okay with that.”
+
+
Ms Govett also spoke about the real-life issues that the book addresses, stating that the books show the ‘effects that global warming could have’ on our planet. She also says it shows ‘a clear divide between the rich and poor’.
+
+
Global warming and climate change, as far-fetched as it is in the ‘Territory’ series is a growing issue in real life. Research in 2018 by NASA scientists shows that the sea level will rise by 1-4 feet by 2100 at the current rate. So, the partial submerging portrayed in the ‘Territory’ books could not be as far off as you imagine.
She also said, “I don’t like dystopia where people are evil for the sake of being evil. I like to have the people doing wrong things to have a reason. The ‘Territory’ series shows how global warming can do this.”
+
+
Ms Govett also revealed she was working on a new dystopian novel. It is set around the idea of a world where antibiotics do not work. This comes at a time when many bacteria are becoming immune to certain antibiotics due to their use in scenarios when they are not needed as can be seen in the recently launched campaign by the NHS to stop the overuse of antibiotics: Keep Antibiotics Working.
On February 6th, 2019, Berkeley Developments started to tear down the old Homebase and Toys R Us in Forbury Retail Park, Reading, to turn it into a housing estate. Homebase and Toys R Us are some of the many buildings being knocked down in the area to make way for new high-rise flats, but could reaching for the sky also have a negative effect that brings the people of Reading down?
+
+
As of worldpopulationreview.com, since the year 2000, the population of Reading has increased by 43,253 people. The population of Reading continues to increase so more residencies are needed to give people the shelter and safety they need. The Government has a target to build 300,000 new homes nationally each year which must be met.
+
+
However, not only do people need housing, they need access to healthcare services, local clubs and groups, green areas, play parks and schools, so the new units being built will bring much more to Reading than might initially meet the eye.
+
+
A source who has worked on Environment and Energy Efficiency Policies has told us that lots of people living in the same place can prove more efficient because more people in one place don’t require as many resources per person. One example is heating; many people being close together makes providing heating much more cost and energy efficient. This was emphasied by Chris Tinker, the Chairman of Major Projects and Strategic Partnerships of Crest Nicholson who confirmed that efficiencies in the building process itself are maximized when building high-rise flats and that this form of build was often pushed for by councils who wanted to make the best use of available land, in order to meet their housing needs. “Bungalows,” he said “hardly ever get built these days as they are simply too land hungry.”
+
+
There are certainly other benefits to the house building programs on Reading’s doorstep which laudably involves taking rundown and wasteland areas and turning them into something improved and usable by people. Chris Tinker confirmed that the Common Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is when a charge is made to the developer to help deliver additional benefits that “serve the common need of the local area,” will usually apply, for example new or improved roads, paths and street lighting.
+
+
A Section 106 agreement might also have been agreed between the planning authority and the developer in order to reduce the impact of the new build on the community. Chris Tinker confirmed that for every 800 – 1000 houses built a new primary school will also be needed. In a recent 2,000 house development undertaken by Crest in Arborfield Green, Berkshire, one of the first things to do, was to build a £34m Secondary School. This expansion could bring some unfavorable aspects as well though. To serve the common need of the local area, more is required elsewhere, not least in the services provided by the NHS.
+
+
When asked about the effect of population increases, a source from the Community NHS trust said, “Initially, with a growth in population e.g. if a new block of flats is built, the NHS copes with it until a certain point when it can’t cope anymore, when more money will need to be found. So, there is pressure until that point”. Planning ahead is vital for the NHS, and we’re told that the NHS commissioners “try to be as proactive as possible and plan for the future as much as they can, so the pressure is not piled on all at once” but they mostly need to be reactive and look at the situation to “react in the best way and making the best of it”.
+
+
A similar story is found at Greyfriars Church in the center of Reading, who find themselves having to adapt in order to meet the needs of the growing community. Heather Harper, the Childrens’ Worker, thinks that they are definitely seeing the effects of the housing and commented that “more people are now coming to the church which has a knock-on effect on what we do. Normally we provided two Christmas Carol services but in the past two years we have had to run three. We’ve sadly had to shut the door at the mid-week toddler group meeting as more people want to come, so we’ve had to turn people away when the maximum capacity for safety is reached. And parking spaces have now been restricted to elderly people, vulnerable people and people with limited access only”.
+
+
The Church is aware that more of its surrounding area will be turned into housing and in response are planning a redevelopment of its site in order to “look after and respond to people’s needs, with more space for chatting, catching up and for community use. More space for flexible offices. More open and welcoming”.
+
+
A source from Environment and Energy Efficiency Policies has also seen the effect on the environment, where they commented that lots of people in the same place generates a definite increase in waste and traffic emissions causing undesirable air pollution.
+
+
They acknowledge that building can be “globally efficient but it can also be impactful”. When asked about the importance of green spaces in Reading and London they were able to tell us that “green spaces are very important. They are needed to help air quality because there is no traffic in these areas, provide habitats for animals and wildlife and for communities to exercise, play and to spend time with each other.”
+
+
It’s certainly easy to see the significance that housing has, both for the current residents and the incoming residents, but any benefit could easily be derailed if the services like transport, waste disposal and healthcare systems needed to assist the people living in the town do not work or cannot support the numbers. If people can’t get healthcare when they need it, educate their children in good local schools, get their waste removed and have open spaces to run around in, it is not going to be a place people want to be.
+
+
So, Reading needs to plan carefully and take action to respond to all the needs of its growing population, to keep it an attractive place to live and work and make sure its success doesn’t become its downfall.
Tomorrow is International Women’s Day (7th March 2019) and we went around our school finding out who people in the school environment thought was the most inspirational woman ever. 90 students and staff took part in the survey which crowned Rosa Parks as the winner.
+
+
Rosa Parks was an American civil rights activist in the mid-20th century, who became famous for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white person in December 1955. When Ben P, who voted for Rosa Parks, was asked why he voted this way, he said “She devoted her life to freeing people and giving rights to the people who need them most, which is quite a sacrifice.”
+
+
Margret Thatcher came in second, just two votes behind Rosa Parks. Margaret Thatcher is famous for becoming the first UK female Prime Minister. Oliver, in year 8, voted for Mrs Thatcher and did so because: “She came in with an idea, and she knew what she was doing and then she delivered on it.”
+
+
Coming in at third was Mother Teresa. Joel V, who voted for Mother Teresa, said “I feel she was an empowered woman and headstrong. As well as this I feel she was constantly looking out for the people.”
+
+
Marie Curie, a scientist who conducted pioneering research about radioactivity and is the only women to win the Nobel Prize twice, got nine votes coming in fourth. Riley said “I like science a lot and in my opinion, Marie Curie is the most inspirational female scientist.”
+
+
The response from teachers was extremely diverse; each of the thirteen teachers that we asked gave us different responses. These ranged from Emmeline Pankhurst who was nominated by Mrs Geraghty-Green for “giving women a voice through the vote”, to Virgina Woolf a suitably literary nomination from English teacher Mrs Garcia and Ada Lovelace as nominated by Mr Ling-Winston as the first female computer programmer and talented mathematician. Mr Steadman in the PE Department nominated his Great Aunt Jane because she holds the record for the woman who lived the longest with Polio.
+
+
What is clear from our poll is that there are is really diverse range of women who have inspired this generation. With the English Women’s football team winning the ‘SheBelives’ cup against Japan in the USA last night, that there are many more women inspiring others every day.
A ninety-nine year old sports institution is looking for a new home; club member and BBC Young Reporter Hal investigates.
+
+
Caversham Lawn Tennis Club, which celebrates its centenary in 2020, has voted to move venues following the rejection of their planning application for floodlights.
+
+
After nighty nine years at the same site in Caversham the members of the local tennis club have taken the opportunity to move after an important planning application was declined.
+
+
Rival clubs around Berkshire have recently been expanding their facilities so Katherine Pike, a trustee of CLTC who is also involved in the management team, explains that Caversham is moving to: “Attract a lot of new members and to be able to expand and cover the costs of the running of the club”.
+
+
Katherine Pike also said she felt “Nervous, excited and responsible, Why? Nervous - we need to retain all our existing members at the new site … Responsible - as part of the Move Planning Committee it is up to me and my colleagues to put everything in place for the move and to ensure we have the club design and set up that will be suited to the way we want our club to look”.
+
+
The club recognised that floodlights were a way to keep up with the improving facilities elsewhere. The planning application said that floodlights would provide “an enhanced recreational resource…. increase opportunity for juniors to play….and members returning from work”. The club also claimed that over the past century it’s provided an “important contribution to the health and well-being of the local community”.
+
+
The planning application looked set to be approved by Reading Borough Council until twelve objections from nearby neighbours led to the plans being blocked. Neighbours of the club had rallied with one resident stating in their objection how the redevelopment would have a “detrimental effect…on the lives and wellbeing of the surrounding long-standing local community.”
+Others objected to the planning application by expressing fears of the damaging effect additional noise and light would have on their families: “the club is located in a suburban residential area and is surrounded on all sides by residential property……. a coaching centre is incongruous”.
+
+
Whilst Vivien Jameson, also a close neighbour to the club, said she felt: “sad, I’d much prefer the area to stay as a tennis club, people need exercise”. She explained that some of her next-door neighbours felt the same although others obviously have different views.
Should the club sell up and move, to enjoy new facilities elsewhere?
+
+
Should the club stay in its local environment and serve the community?
+
+
To stay would maintain the club in its historic environment, serving its local community. One of Sport England’s objectives is to “ensure the right facilities are provided in the right places”. Caversham is a densely populated village, with the club providing community resources for old and young.
+
+
A vote was held in the evening of 14th November at Caversham Tennis Clubhouse and the members chose to move seventy nine votes to forty four.
+
+
Some existing members express optimism. Ravinder Johal, junior representative says: “I feel it will enable the club to develop further, have better facilities and become a better club.”
+
+
Katherine Pike who has been a member since she was fifteen and a pupil at a school in the town, says she is “Excited - what a challenge - we will have a great facility and we should be able to play lots of tennis all year round under floodlights and indoors.”.
+
+
Sarah Baker, a team captain was less confident: “I would have preferred to stay at our existing venue if we had been able to get floodlights agreed but as we haven’t, I think it is best that we move otherwise we will no longer be one of Berkshire’s top performing clubs, attracting top players.
+
+
The club is now preparing for the move which members hope will happen within the next few years. The club will move when new facilities are built at proposed site of Caversham Heath golf club, but the tennis club is still looking for a buyer for the current location within the next few months.
With Fortnite Season 8 unveiled last week, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Siege Year 4 beginning yesterday and two of the world’s most anticipated games, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, just released, there’s no better time for young people to be educated on how to stay safe while gaming. Xbox player and Rainbow 6 enthusiast Kamran S reports on the issues to do with bullying in video games.
+
+
Three Reading School gamers were involved in a situation where one of them had been playing online with another player they didn’t know who sent him a pornographic image “as a joke”. When speaking about how he tackled the situation he said, “I didn’t want to lose the privilege of playing on the Playstation”, that was the reason he didn’t tell his parents. The other two students he told took it upon themselves to sort it out and tell their school what the victim couldn’t because he thought he would get in trouble. This proves that awareness needs to be raised as the victim didn’t know what to do, in fear that he would not be able to play on his PlayStation.
+
+
Declan, a student at Reading School, believes that in-game bullying is common on the Xbox: “100%. People are getting angry, being annoyed at the game and then saying things about other people then constantly bullying them for not being as good at them or being jealous.”
+
+
i-SAFE Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to educating youth about staying safe on the internet, found that more than one in three young people have experienced cyberthreats online and over 25% of adolescents and teens are cyber-bullied repeatedly. It’s these kinds of facts which are leaving parents questioning whether the Xbox is a platform for their children to enjoy or to make them feel upset or unhappy.
+
+
To understand how to tackle a problem, the cause must be identified first.
+
+
Firstly, why does bullying occur in video games? Experienced gamers in the Reading School community believe there are many reasons.
+
+
In competitive game modes, where players are pitted against the best of the best in order to improve their rank to show how good they are (such as Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty and FIFA), players can be led astray from the actual enjoyment of the game into being the best at it out of their friend group. Ben says: “one of the main reasons bullying whilst gaming takes place is because someone is better than the bully but the bully wants to be the best at the game, so he goes against the player he is playing with.” They may go about this in many ways in order to get the player angry or upset making them play worse, forcing them to do something in retaliation in order to make them look worse than the person doing it in the first place or making them quit the game and stop playing video games altogether.
Gamers we spoke to also said that in more casual situations, where the players are looking for an escape from the competitive category just looking for a game situation where no one is judged to be better or worse than anyone else, the reasons to bully may be more minor and possibly even pettier. “Maybe the bully’s favourite character was picked by someone else and now since they can’t play as him/her or maybe there was a situation in the last round where a player may have not used simple game logic and the bully may just be angry at them and wants them to feel bad about that last round,” explained Tom.
+
+
In terms of the comparison between relaxed game modes or games where performance affects end of season level, our experts believe that the reasons may be different, more simple and just because something happened that annoyed the bully whereas in competitive play it may be someone just wanting to make the other player feel bad, but the consequences may be similar.
+So how may a bully go about trying to make another player feel bad?
+Reading School
+Well of course the most effective and most common method experienced by Reading School gamers is verbal abuse, swearing or being racist or homophobic to another player, attempting to make them feel bad about their own unique self and personality.
+
+
There are also more technical techniques that could be specific to different games or categories of games.
+
+
Firstly, team killing: in combat games that are trying to replicate real life military situations (Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6, Battlefield and Call of Duty), there may possibly be a function called friendly fire. Friendly fire (FF) is where you can shoot all teammates and even kill them, team killing (TK) is another common method online bullies use to aggravate a teammate in game. Whilst in most games after TK you may be banned, other games leave it as something anyone can do at will as it may increase how genuine or realistic the game may feel.
+
+
Another way bullies may annoy players in-game is trolling or griefing, similar to teasing in game. Ben says this is a real problem: “This is something that can’t be removed from games as bullies find actions that aren’t necessarily harmful to other players in other situations, and turning them into mean actions.” For example, loot stealing, which is mostly found in Fortnite. When a player kills another player in Fortnite, the killed player’s loot is dropped. This player may have some very good items that the other player may want to use to improve their gameplay but in a team mode, a bully may come and just take the loot that has just been dropped without asking the player whose loot it rightfully is. This can also be annoying for players as it is in affect stealing from someone’s hard work.
+
+
The damage has been dealt, the crime has been committed but how should a victim deal with being cyber-bullied?
+
+
Declan also said: “I am aware that some people are not [aware of what to do when bullied on the Xbox] and some people are being teased by other people and in the end they are being bullied constantly.”
+
+
The first thing is to ensure that the bully faces the consequences of what they did and the most effective way to alert developers, making sure that the bully faces a punishment, is using the built in “report” feature. It’s very common now to be able to report someone on the platform (Xbox or Playstation) and on the game (Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege). This alerts a computer programme in the servers that a player believes that another gamer they’ve reported has done something wrong. The bot then reads through recent communications and if they find something offensive, the bot will give a punishment to a player. This could be a communication ban, a specific game ban or a total account ban.
+
+
ConnectSafely.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating users of connected technology about safety, privacy and security, are worried that being bullied can have long term effects on a young person’s state of mind especially if it happens repeatedly. They advise that some ways to deal with it are by “not retaliating”, “telling the person to stop” or in other situatiuons, “take action”. Possibly the best way to deal with bullying issues is using available counselling services, face to face and through the phone. These services are usually confidential and free of charge so you don’t have to worry about it coming up in later life. The most effective of these are Childline, The YoungMinds Crisis Messenger or the Samaritans helpline.
+
+
The gamers I contacted said that there is a lack of awareness in the community on how to deal with these situations. Declan says: “awareness is not raised enough for young people to know what to do when they experience these situations.” Tom thinks that the un-educated should be told in PSHE lessons, or made aware of the problems: “This will encourage them to ask how they are able to address the problems themselves.” Reading School gamers, Xbox and Playstation alike, agreed that developers do try to raise awareness about in-game bullying but they do not do it enough.
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has announced they are polling their fellows and members on their stance on assisted dying. The poll opened on the 5th of February and it closed on the 1st of March. The RCP is yet to release the results. The debate has been reignited by a public push to look into what the patient’s ‘best interest’ is in many different scenarios.
+
+
The UK law currently allows medical decisions that are classified as in ‘the best interest’ of the patient. But what is it and how is it used in the NHS?
Mahesh Nanjundappa, a senior neonatologist in the NHS, shared his views with us.
+
+
He said, “The ‘best interest’ of the patient is the best quality of life with limited suffering. When making a very difficult decision, it includes a multi-disciplinary team which includes the patient themselves, the family, doctors treating the patient, and other medical professionals of various sub-specialities. We discuss various options and come to a consensus of what the ‘best interest’ is.”
+
+
He also mentioned his experience of withdrawal and limitation of treatment, saying, “We have internal discussions with various medical professionals on treatment in difficult situations. We also take secondary opinions from other hospitals to form our offers of treatment options that is in the ‘best interest’ of the patient. In case of a disagreement with the patient or their family, we may take internal legal advice and encourage the patient and close ones to negotiate with an independent conflict resolution team. If the issue is still not resolved, the case may be taken to court- something I have experienced over my medical career.”
+
+
In 2017, Connie Yates and Chris Gard were involved in a best interests case that concerned their son: Charlie Matthew William Gard who was born with a rare genetic disorder which has no proven treatment. The parents initially wanted to try experimental treatment in the United States. After Charlie’s condition deteriorated, however, the NHS determined that further treatment was futile.
Ms Yates and Mr Gard disagreed, and their court battles were subject to widespread attention. However, the parents eventually agreed to the withdrawal of life support, and Charlie passed in late July 2017.
+It is standard protocol in the NHS that doctors must consult with the patient and their close ones regarding treatment. It is patient’s right to refuse treatment. The NHS can also refuse certain treatments, but this can be taken to legal proceedings like in the Charlie Gard case.
+
+
In Charlie Gard’s case, the NHS believed that the treatment suggested- nucleoside therapy- would not be able to help Charlie’s condition.
+
+
Helen Robinson-Gordon, Head of Media and News Relations for the British Medical Association (BMA), stated, “There are of course occasions when decisions about ongoing care are taken out of the doctor’s hands and they rest with the courts – such was the case with Charlie Gard and others like him.”
+
+
She also said, “The BMA also recognises that doctors often have difficult choices to make and so the guidance we develop helps them to make informed choices.”
+
+
For patients who are unable to make decisions for themselves, such as those suffering from dementia, there is a set procedure that must be followed when making decisions ‘in the best interest’ of the patient.
+
+
This comes under the Mental Capacity Act of 2005. Doctors must decide whether patients are in a healthy enough mental state to make their decision clear. Sometimes a decision is made by a patient before they become unfit to decide. This decision should be accepted by doctors and the choices made should be implemented.
+
+
The necessary support and guidance should be given to the patient in order to make a decision that reflects their choice whilst in a healthy state. If they are classed as unable to make these decisions, the doctors must speak to those close to the patient and assess their ‘best interests’. The final decision is with the doctor but must reflect the views of close ones and what the patient would have wanted.
+
+
Another facet of ‘best interests’ of the patient is assisted dying. It is strictly illegal in the UK. In other countries such as Switzerland, assisted dying is legal. Many people with terminal diseases or diseases that drastically reduce the quality of life seek it.
+
+
The BMA has stressed that they ‘firmly oppose assisted dying’. They stressed that permitting it would put ‘vulnerable people at risk of harm’. They also emphasise that this would be ‘contrary to the ethics of clinical practice’ and this would undermine ‘the principal purpose of medicine’, which is to ‘improve the patient’s quality of life, not foreshorten it’.
+
+
Ms Robinson-Gordon commented on this issue, saying, “As a professional organisation, our members (doctors in the UK) have taken a stance that they are opposed to physician assisted dying and believe that more time, effort and funding should go into palliative care and ensuring that end of life care is a dignified and compassionate as it can be.”
+
+
“The BMA believes that continuing to improve the standards of palliative care in the UK and improve the training and support of the doctors and other staff who provide it, is key.”
+
+
Dr Nanjundappa also shared his views on assisted dying, stating, “I am personally opposed to assisted dying. I have worked closely with extremely compassionate and caring palliative care teams. They provide support and make end of life care comfortable and easy for the patient during this period towards the end of their lifetime.”
+
+
“Many people have different views on what the patient’s ‘best interest’ is. It is a very complex topic with varying perspectives.”
+
+
However, the Assisted Dying Coalition, a coalition of organisations campaigning for the legalisation of assisted dying (in certain situations) suggests that legalisation of assisted dying is the best way to tackle this issue. The Coalition is formed of the following organisations: End of Life Choices Jersey, Friends at the End, Humanist Society Scotland, Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision.
+
+
In their view, palliative care is a ‘wonderful resource’ but ‘cannot help in all situations’. They also suggest that discussions on how assisted dying can be ‘safely and comprehensively’ implemented into UK healthcare.
After being shut 63 months ago, Reading Gaol has remained unused. Reading East MP Matt Rodda says, during this time, “The government has spent over one million pounds on just maintaining the site … whilst homelessness has increased in our borough [Reading East] by 700%.” Currently a feasibility study is being undertaken by Theatre and Arts Reading (TAR) and is nearing completion. Mrs Scott, the TAR Executive Secretary said TAR hopes “to have some sort of public announcement in March which will update everyone on what is happening.”
+
+
In June 2014, it was proposed locally that Reading Gaol should be turned into a theatre and arts centre. However, 17 months later, the then Chancellor George Osborne and the then Justice Secretary Michael Gove announced that the site might be sold to housing developers.
+
+
So what is happening now?
+
+
Various options have been considered; flats, low-rise housing and a new school among them. The most popular plan locally, however, is transforming the site into a theatre and arts venue.
+
+
In 2013, a group of people from Reading’s business and art communities formed Theatre and Arts Reading (TAR) with the aim of finding a new theatre and arts venue for Reading. Following the closure of the prison, TAR announced its interest in the site of Reading Gaol for this venture.
+
+
The highlights of TAR’s theatre and arts vision for the prison site are:
+
+
2 theatres
+
Performance/rehearsal space
+
Cell space for creative start-ups
+
Oscar Wilde multi-media experience
+
Oscar Wilde museum
+
Café/restaurant/bar
+
Contemporary art gallery
+
Arts film theatre
+
Gift shop
+
Display of archaeological finds from Reading Abbey
+
Educational & cultural partnerships
+
Integration with Reading Abbey Heritage Quarter and Kennet & Avon Canal
+
+Under the plan, the main theatre would operate on a commercial basis with the rest of the site focused on the local community, particularly the education and cultural sectors. Community, student and educational productions would all be supported.
+
+
+
Reading East MP, Matt Rodda, has been active on the proposed idea in Westminster. He has spoken in support of the project in Parliament and he has been having “on-going” conversations with the Prisons Minister, Rory Stewart MP. Mr Rodda said that Mr Stewart was very open to the possibility of the prison being developed as an arts hub.
+
+
More recently, Mr Rodda has received a letter from the Ministry of Justice saying that “they were now in a position to commence talks with Reading Borough Council over the sale of these buildings.” Mr Rodda also said that he would be “working with Reading Borough Council officials to help them during these talks.”
+
+
It is widely believed that this project would be extremely beneficial for schools in Reading and the surrounding area.
+
+
The Head of Drama at Reading School, Mrs Fooks, said that, “There is definitely a need for another theatre in Reading and I am 100% in favour of the proposed plan.”
+
+
When asked how the plan may improve the quality of learning, Mrs Fooks said that “a new theatre would enrich learning of not only Drama but of English as well and workshops could also be run to help the GCSE and the A-level boys.”
+
+
Matt Rodda MP suggests that members of the public who want to support the project can write to the Ministry of Justice, the Minister for Prisons Rory Stewart MP, and the Secretary of State David Gauke MP outlining their feelings and views on the theatre and arts project.
+
+
In addition to the many educational and cultural benefits of this theatre and arts venue vision, many in the local community and beyond feel that it would be a fitting conclusion to the story of Oscar Wilde and Reading Gaol.
Here are our intrepid Young Reporters, chomping at the bit to bring you lots of terrific stories about Reading School, our local area and the amazing things happening here. And rest assured, this will be a Brexit-free zone.
+
+ menu
+ BBC Young Reporter | Reading School
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Page Not Found
+
Sorry, but we can’t find that page.
+Click here to see the articles Reading School’s year 8 students have written during this year’s BBC Young Reporter day.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
diff --git a/_site/CNAME b/_site/CNAME
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2bf779e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/_site/CNAME
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+youngreporter.mgrove.uk
diff --git a/_site/README.md b/_site/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fdc0776
--- /dev/null
+++ b/_site/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+# BBC Young Reporter | Reading School
+This is Reading School's BBC Young Reporter website. If you have any problems with this website, please [email me at me@mgrove.uk](mailto:me@mgrove.uk), or [create an issue on GitHub](https://github.com/reading-school-code/bbc-school-report/issues/new).
diff --git a/_site/auto-refresh.html b/_site/auto-refresh.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ee042e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/_site/auto-refresh.html
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+
+
+
+
+
+ menu
+ BBC Young Reporter | Reading School
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
2019
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
The Finished Product
+
+
+ • by Mr Baldock
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Are The Roads Around Your Home And School Safe?
+
+
+ • by Riley C, Oliver C
+
+
The Royal Berkshire Hospital earlier this month released a study revealing that there has been a 45% increase in accidents involving children and vulnerable pedestrians walking in Reading between February 2018 to 2019. Now, many students may not feel safe when walking in Reading.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Student Survey Shows Rosa Parks Is Most Inspirational Woman Ever
+
+
+ • by Tom S-R, Ben S-R
+
+
Tomorrow is International Women’s Day (7th March 2019) and we went around our school finding out who people in the school environment thought was the most inspirational woman ever. 90 students and staff took part in the survey which crowned Rosa Parks as the winner.
+ 
+
+ 
+ 
+ 
+ 
+ 
+ 
+ 
+ 
+