Kilgraston welcome renowned broadcaster, author and journalist, Catherine Pepinster

Posted: 8th March 2022

Who knew that a Ladybird book could alter the course of your life? One womanโ€™s did and that is Catherine Pepinster, journalist, broadcaster, religious commentator.

Speaking to Kilgraston pupils from her base in west London, the journalist was delivering a lecture as part of the schoolโ€™s Women and Business industry expert series: โ€œI was only about seven or eight at the time and there, in my Christmas stocking, was the Ladybird book of newspapers, featuring a lady with a reporterโ€™s notebook, and I thought, โ€œthatโ€™s what I want to do!โ€ And she did, regaling pupils with stories of a childhood home filled with stimulating political discussion and intellectual reading material, noting, โ€œMy parents were always shouting at politicians on Panorama!โ€

Editing her schoolโ€™s magazine fully galvanised a career in journalism, prompting Catherine to read Economic and Social Studies at the University of Manchester, before doing a Post Graduate diploma in journalism at City, University of London: โ€œI know that being involved with the student newspaper at university definitely helped with my post-grad application. Work experience is absolutely vital, as is being insatiably curious; essential for a journalist.โ€

Proceeding to local papers, Catherine highlighted lessons learnt when pounding the pavements, attending courts, council meetings and inquests, explaining: โ€œVery quickly, you learn the power of good contacts and being held to account by your community,โ€ adding, โ€œdeveloping trust and respect lead to more stories being directed your way and that holds true to this very day.โ€

Moving-up to national newspapers, Catherineโ€™s talent was spotted by The Tablet magazine, becoming its first female editor since its 1840 inception and where she experienced one of her careerโ€™s biggest scoops: โ€œI received a tip-off about the resignation of Pope Benedict XV1 in 2013. It wasnโ€™t trite to say this really was the first draft of history.โ€

The power of working and thinking as an individual โ€“ having ideas, following instincts โ€“ was counterbalanced with an explanation of how news comes together and the line-up behind production: โ€œAlways remember, well-presented, accurate reporting takes a large team of professionals.โ€

Concluding her talk, Catherine highlighted how her long career in journalism has offered โ€œa reservedโ€ child, self-belief and confidence: โ€œDuring downing Streetโ€™s Tony Blair era, I was curious to know about the acquisition by the Labour Party of a sizeable London building,โ€ she continued, โ€œLooking-up an old contact, I was able to request โ€“ and receive โ€“ information evaded by others. You have to hold your nerve and poise so people feel they can trust your judgement.โ€

Asked about the future of her profession, the focus was on โ€˜data journalismโ€™, from the likes of Freedom of Information requests, and the creation of stories from available material: โ€œI think that is definitely the way it is heading.โ€ However, the power of the โ€˜long readโ€™ was, she said, not to be under-estimated, referring to weighty weekly, The New Yorkerโ€™s terrific pieces.

โ€˜Long readsโ€™ is something with which Catherine is all-too-familiar, having just completed a 100,000 word book, entitled โ€˜Defenders of the Faith.โ€™ It was, she concluded, an โ€œambitious six-month deadlineโ€ even for someone for whom words do come easily.

Kilgraston was greatly appreciative of her sharing some words with the school.

Categories: Kilgraston School School News