A Manchester Grammar School pupil has helped his school win a prestigious national award. 

Ali Abod, 17, from Cheadle, is responsible for the design and layout of the School’s newspaper The New Mancunian. The newspaper gives a voice to aspiring journalists from across the School.

And Ali’s excellence was recognised at the 2016 Shine Media Awards. This prestigious competition for student-run publications, was held at Stationers’ Hall in London on 21 June 2016.

The New Mancunian fought off stiff competition to win the ‘Best Design and Layout’ category. This was thanks to Ali’s major redesign overhaul of the publication.

The judges commended the outstanding design of the magazine, commenting on its high standard of layout, typography and brave use of white space and imagery.

Because 80 schools entered the awards this year, the results was excellent.

Given that this is the first year The Manchester Grammar School has entered, the boys have done tremendously well.

Ali said: “I started working on The New Mancunian back in 2014 when, in all honesty, the drab design needed an entire overhaul.

“Hence, it was difficult at first. But, after a few all-nighters, I had produced a vibrant design that I and my friends loved.

“The awards ceremony itself was inspiring – I honestly felt like I was at the Oscars. I had convinced myself that I hadn’t won after browsing over all the other magazines. But I hadn’t given up hope completely.

“Hearing The New Mancunian being announced was relieving, and a gratifying experience for sure.

“I hope to do computer science in the future. At the moment, design and creativity are both major components of software applications. Hopefully, I will be able to combine both elements to hopefully create something spectacular.”