First News

First News The leading source of award-winning news & news-based learning for children. Visit our website to find out more and to subscribe. www.firstnews.co.uk

First News is a fun and vibrant newspaper to keep children up to date with news and interesting stories from the UK and around the word. Plus, each week there's loads to keep children entertained: puzzles, competitions, crazy but true stories, celebrity interviews, sport and much more.

22/09/2025

🗞️ What is media and information literacy?

Media and information literacy (MIL) is the ability to access, understand, evaluate and create information across different formats – from books and newspapers to social media, streaming platforms and AI-generated content.

For children and young people, this means being able to:

🧠 Tell fact from opinion

🔍 Spot misinformation, bias and manipulation

🤷‍♀️ Understand how and why media is produced

🤝 Be an informed participant

👩‍💻 Building digital resilience and wellbeing

MIL helps young people become confident, responsible participants in society, not just consumers of information, but critical thinkers and informed citizens.

With today’s 12-year-olds set to vote in the next UK general election, the importance of media and information literacy has never been greater.

👨‍🏫 Whether you're teaching primary or secondary, we’ve teamed up with the Media and Information Literacy Alliance (MILA) to create FREE frameworks that show what great MIL teaching looks like in practice.

Check them out here: https://bit.ly/4pBoQ9g

19/09/2025

OUT NOW! Let’s peek inside 👀
🔭 NASA has found spots on Mars that could be a sign of ancient life.
👊 Violence broke out at the Unite the Kingdom protest in London, attended by around 150,000 people.
🎄 Christmas will once again come early in Venezuela amid tension in the country.
🗞️ What will you discover?

🚗📱 It’s September and Look Up! month at First News – our annual campaign to warn young people of the dangers of crossing...
18/09/2025

🚗📱 It’s September and Look Up! month at First News – our annual campaign to warn young people of the dangers of crossing the road while looking at their phones. Road accidents are the main cause of death among those aged 5–29, so we've made a free Look Up! assembly pack for schools to help get the message out.

Check it out 👉 https://bit.ly/46PDJfZ

🗞️ Read more in this week’s First News on page 13.

🗞️ We've got news...Introducing First News TeachKit: Media & Information Literacy Teachers play a vital role in preparin...
16/09/2025

🗞️ We've got news...

Introducing First News TeachKit: Media & Information Literacy

Teachers play a vital role in preparing young people for an increasingly complex world. But without clear guidance, many are tackling this challenge alone. The ability to question, think critically, and spot misinformation has never been more important, and with 16-year-olds voting in the next election, the stakes couldn’t be higher 🗳️

That's why we've built TeachKit: MIL.

📚 Built by First News – trusted by schools for 20+ years
💥 Teach with confidence with these ready-to-use resources

What's inside?

✅ Free progressive frameworks co-created with the Media and Information Literacy Alliance (MILA)
✅ Flexible schemes of work to fit your timetable
✅ Fortnightly teaching packs linked to current news
✅ 60+ expert-written resources
✅ AI tools to tailor lessons by need
✅ Community resource bank
✅ Parent notes for home learning
✅ School-wide access
✅ Ongoing training & support

Ready to give your students the skills to read between the headlines?
📲 Download your FREE primary or secondary framework today

https://bit.ly/4msRSpa

12/09/2025

OUT NOW! Let’s peek inside 👀
💤 The pressure to stay up gaming or in group chats is making kids too tired for school, a report from Public First says.
☀️ Climate change could harm health as people cool off with sugary drinks and desserts.
🇲🇽 The jaguar population in Mexico has increased by 32% in the last 15 years, a new survey has found.
🗞️ What will you discover?

05/09/2025

OUT NOW! Let’s peek inside👀

👚 For Second Hand September, we look at how 40% of clothing made each year isn't worn or sold.
🍿 The animated Kpop musical Demon Hunters has become Netflix’s most-watched film ever!
🐁 Two teens boost Devon’s harvest mouse population by releasing 250 into the wild!
🗞️ What will you discover?

29/08/2025

OUT NOW! Let’s peek inside👀

✏️ Teachers’ union NEU says traditional exams don’t prepare pupils for the modern world
🦒 New report reveals giraffes are actually four separate species
⚽ Arsenal’s Max Dowman becomes 2nd youngest Premier League player ever at just 15!
🗞️ What will you discover?

22/08/2025

OUT NOW! Let’s peek inside👀

🚰 World Water Week (24 August) highlights 2.2 billion people without safe drinking water
⚠️ Lithuanian pupils will learn drone skills to prepare for a Russian invasion
🐍 Large snake evicted from Aussie toy train tunnel!
🗞️ What will you discover?

🗞️ We’re so grateful to the incredible voices who’ve helped us celebrate 1,000 editions of First News! 🎉A special thank ...
19/08/2025

🗞️ We’re so grateful to the incredible voices who’ve helped us celebrate 1,000 editions of First News! 🎉

A special thank you to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who says:
“From the launch in 11 Downing Street almost two decades ago, First News has been engaging and informing young people, and building a future where the next generation feel confident in their opinions and part of the world around them.”

We’ve also been delighted to hear from much-loved figures including Jamie Oliver, Tom Holland, Steve Backshall, Cressida Cowell and Miriam Margolyes, along with partners such as UNICEF UK, WWF UK, Save the Children UK, Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and many more who all recognise the importance of trusted news for young people.

As our Editor in Chief Nicky Cox MBE put it:
“In 1,000 editions, we’ve covered more than 100,000 stories – from space exploration and environmental action to the amazing achievements of young people around the world.”

This milestone is a celebration of everything we’ve achieved together and a reminder of our ongoing mission: to empower children with the news and to give young people a platform to speak out.

Here’s to the next 1,000 issues! ✨

18/08/2025

🎬 FYI NEWS ALERT!

"Exam results don't determine your intelligence."

Ahead of GCSE results day, FYI hears from learning coach Tej Samani, who gives advice for pupils disappointed with their grades.

Want to learn more?
👀 Watch the full FYI episode, our partner kids' news show from Sky Kids, on the First News app or at https://bit.ly/3UyPPEw

First News has hit 1,000 issues! 🎉From the very first edition in 2006 to today, First News has been producing balanced, ...
15/08/2025

First News has hit 1,000 issues! 🎉

From the very first edition in 2006 to today, First News has been producing balanced, trusted news for young people — and we’ve seen a lot happen in that time!

💬 Our co-founder and editor-in-chief Nicky Cox MBE says: “A thousand thanks to everyone who has been part of First News over 1,000 editions. Thanks to every prime minister who has taken time to speak to our readers since we launched, to the King who has written for us, to your schools and families, and to many, many organisations and charities who have helped us bring balanced and trusted news to you, our readers, who I thank the most of all.”

Inside this week’s Special Report, discover 1,000 amazing things we’ve covered — from Olympic glory to world-changing events, scorching summers to giant leaps for equality.

15/08/2025

OUT NOW! Let’s peek inside our 1000th issue 🎉

🗣️ PM Keir Starmer congratulates First News on our 1000th issue
🐶 Dog eats rugby star’s passport, nearly ruining his All Blacks tour
🚀 Meet Chrysalis — the spaceship concept built to travel for centuries
🗞️ What will you discover?

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