News Trainees’ Quarterly Appraisal Form

Trainee’s name:……………………………………………………………..….......

Trinity Mirror centre:……………………………………………………..………….

Date:……………………………………………………………………………………………

Scoring system: Please rank the trainee’s performance over the past quarter using the following scoring system:

1 - Outstanding performance2 - High performing3 - Performing4 - Requires improvement5 - Not performing

Please comment on the trainee’s overall performance in this quarter, identifying any significant achievements or improvements.

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Personal qualities

Category Score

General knowledge

Uses own initiative

Has a good knowledge of local and national news events

Keeps up to date with digital developments and social media changes

Has good people skills

Works well in a team

Works well under pressure

Has a good attitude

Is persistent in their approach to stories

Responds well to feedback

Is dressed appropriately

Uses their time effectively

Is responsive to change

Finds and produces exclusive content

Please add any further comments on the trainee’s qualities in these areas:

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Storytelling skills

Is accurate in reporting facts

Writes tight intros appropriate to the platform

Produces copy that is right first time

Spelling is good and has a strong grasp of grammar

Follows house styles appropriate to the platform

Has a good news sense

Hits deadlines with their stories

Can show evidence of having original ideas

Owns the story and produces good break-outs and follow-ups

Is a good interviewer across all platforms

Has good contacts and builds relationships with them

Understands the reporters’ role in generating multimedia ideas

Live blogs effectively

Sells the story effectively on social media

Sources and creates video content

Please add any further comments on the trainee’s qualities in these areas:

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Journalism practice skills

Has a sound legal knowledge

Aware of requirements of the Editors’ Code and their responsibility to adhere to it

Adheres to the company’ social media policy

Understands and uses analytics effectively

Demonstrates a strong track record in audience engagement

Understands the importance of developing communities

Acquires copyright and syndication rights where appropriate

Understands the audience on different platforms

Please add any further comments on the trainee’s qualities in these areas:

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Awareness of the business

Understands the value of different platforms

Knows who the business’s major competitors are across all media

Understands the functions of all other departments and their relationship to editorial

Is aware of the health and safety policy and practice of the business

Understands how commercial departments operate and identifies commercial opportunities where appropriate

Works effectively with all editorial departments

Works effectively with other businesses across Trinity Mirror

Demonstrates the company’s values and behaviours of collaboration, innovation and determination

Please add any further comments on the trainee’s qualities in these areas:

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Assessed by:

Name……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Position………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Date……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Signature………………………………………………………………………………………………

Trainee’s signature………………………………………………………………………………

Use the experience log on the next page to record activities, event and stories covered which you have used to base your assessment marks on.

Experience log

Evidence of experience produced since last appraisal

Further action required before next appraisal

Candidate requires no further experience in this area. Assessor should sign to confirm if this has been achieved

Hard news

Court reporting, tribunals and inquests

Audio visual content

Writing in a variety of styles, including long form and listicles

Audience engagement