Steyning Grammar School (SGS) Radio, West Sussex (Enquiry School)

Steyning Grammar School, an Enquiry School in West Sussex, wanted to introduce a new medium for students to communicate in the school. The school wanted to see how students’ and teachers’ understanding of personalised learning could be developed through internet radio.

The purpose of the radio was to ‘communicate, inform and entertain.’ This project links to the school’s work on student voice and their recently acquired second specialist status in ‘Applied Learning.’

Process
From the start 15 – 18 year old students were fully involved in the planning and decision making process. Through the ‘thinking wall’ they worked together to formulate ideas about the radio and decide on the content. The students selected radio producer James Crawford to set up the radio because he ‘wanted to know our ideas’ and ‘he was interested in us.’

Impact
Teachers have used SGS Radio to explore ideas about student voice, personalised learning, and using new media/technology creatively. By using radio as a vehicle for creative expression, they have enthused young people and helped to develop good communication between students and adults. Teachers have learnt how to make good quality radio production and will sustain the activity by providing clubs and workshops in the future.

Students loved the practical learning environment of the radio and claim that it provides a real experience with a real outcome. The project will influence future plans to expand ‘extended schools’ opportunities and provide a vehicle for joining the school and community.