A NEWSWORTHY visitor called into a Weymouth school to inspire students.

Veteran BBC broadcaster and journalist Kate Adie gave a talk to a group of Wey Valley Academy English GCSE students.

Her talk My life at the BBC - A Performing Art covered her career with the BBC, which began after graduation as a station assistant at BBC Radio Durham.

From 1971 to 1975 she was at Radio Bristol, where she presented Womanwise.

In 1976, she was a regional TV news reporter before a move to BBC national television news in 1979. 

Working as a war reporter Kate was regularly sent to report on disasters and conflicts throughout the 1980s, including The Troubles in Northern Ireland, the American bombing of Tripoli in 1986 and the Lockerbie bombing of 1988.

She was promoted to Chief News Correspondent in 1989.

One of the most significant assignments was to report on Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 where she was injured after being grazed by a bullet which had 'shaved the skin off her arm'.

Dorset Echo: Kate Adie talks to students at Wey Valley Academy in Weymouth Kate Adie talks to students at Wey Valley Academy in Weymouth (Image: Wey Valley Academy)

During the session Kate said communication and performance had been key to the success of her career.

She told students "Questioning is critical in order to elicit answers - use questions such as why, where, how, which, when - look people in the face and use your eyes."

She then presented an eclectic series of BBC clips involving her journalism.

"Watch the news - it has an impact on you - look at and observe the world around you - different countries and their values - social, cultural and political," she said. 

A Year 10 student said ' the session has inspired me to become a reporter for the BBC when I am older'.

Mark Chutter, head of Performing Arts and Teaching and Learning Challenge Lead, said: "The session from Kate Adie was inspiring and really made the students think about how the news is presented and the world around them.

"My thanks to Kate Adie for speaking in such a way that inspired our students - Adie commanded her audience throughout - a truly thrilling experience for all."