Pupils rule the radio waves

A school has stolen the show to take the honours in a national radio competition.

Bowbridge Primary School, Newark, entered the nationwide Creative Radio Competition 2010, finishing top of the under-12 junior competition ahead of schools from Darlington and Liverpool.

The competition, run by www. schoolradio.co.uk involved the pupils producing radio broadcasts including an advert, a jingle and a news report or feature.

The media manager at Bowbridge, Mr Ian Lamb, said: “To win a national accolade like this is outstanding.

“The children love doing this type of thing because it is a break from the normal way of teaching.

“We are a school that is always developing and looking at innovative ways to teach our pupils.

“After this we are looking at getting them involved in TV production, which will be something new and exciting for them.”

Bowbridge primary has been teaching radio production skills for three years and has its own radio studio with the latest equipment.

Mr Lamb said: “We have had children come in here and start off really shy but through the radio station and producing podcasts they have come out of their shell.”

“It’s all about building up the confidence of these children as well as teaching them new skills that will stand them in good stead for the future.

“We have a new group of children starting the media work and, fingers crossed, we can produce something even better for the competition next year.”