William Ford pupils experience life on the airwaves.
Since the launch of our school radio station in September 2023, it has become a central part of daily life here at William Ford C. of E. Junior School. With expert guidance from Russell Prue, who spent two days training both staff and pupils, the station has quickly become a hub of excitement and learning. The skills and knowledge he imparted are now fully embedded into our school routines. Pupils are confidently taking the lead in broadcasting, operating the equipment, and speaking live on air.
The radio station is now used during break times, lunchtimes, and across various areas of the curriculum. It provides pupils with opportunities to develop essential skills such as public speaking, interviewing, and teamwork, while also encouraging creativity and expression. The integration of the radio station into our daily routines and lessons is already making a noticeable difference in the confidence and communication skills of our pupils.
Headteacher David Huntingford explains:
"Not all our pupils are naturally confident when speaking publicly or conducting interviews—that’s precisely why we embarked on this project. We’re already seeing improvements in communication skills and growing confidence as pupils get more comfortable in the studio setting."
The radio station also plays a key role in helping us achieve our broader curriculum goals, particularly when it comes to raising aspirations. Pupils are given the chance to explore roles they may not have considered before, such as presenters, producers, or interviewers, all of which encourage them to think about their futures. Mr. Huntingford highlights the importance of this:
"Our curriculum is designed to allow children to take on expert roles in projects—whether it's designing gardens, developing parachutes, or running a radio station. It’s all about raising aspirations and showing pupils what they can achieve in the future."
The station’s first live broadcast took place on the very first day of the school year, with parents arriving just in time to hear their children on the airwaves. In the future, we plan to extend these broadcasts online so that parents and the local community can enjoy interviews, music selections, news updates, and weather reports. We're also planning exciting new shows, including a Breakfast Show and a Travel Home Show to further extend the reach and use of the station.
Pupils are already benefiting from this innovative platform. Jayden Williams, aged 10, shared:
"It’s been such a fun experience learning how to work the radio station and broadcast to our friends and parents. It’s really boosted my confidence when speaking to others."
Shalom Ekhosu, aged 8, added:
"It’s exciting that we get to do so many great things at William Ford. When I’m older, I’d love to be a DJ. I’ve really enjoyed choosing music for everyone to listen to and introducing it on air."
The radio station is much more than just a fun extracurricular activity—it has become a purposeful educational tool that supports learning across subjects such as literacy, history, and music. Pupils are using radio broadcasts to enhance their learning, from recording interviews as part of their history projects to creating musical playlists as part of their music curriculum. Additionally, the radio station provides a valuable opportunity for pupils who need extra support with speech and language development, allowing them to practise their skills in a real-world setting while working alongside more confident peers.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue expanding this provision. The goal is to weave radio skills further into our curriculum and provide even more opportunities for pupils to grow. We are also looking into ways to extend our broadcasts beyond the school, providing a platform for pupils to share their work with the local community and offering opportunities for local businesses to advertise their services.
Our partnership with Anderton Tiger Radio has laid a strong foundation for this journey, and we are proud to be one of their many successful school radio stations. As Russell Prue remarked:
"Live radio and podcasting are enjoying a worldwide surge in popularity. Producing radio shows involves writing, research, and confidence—skills that are easily transferred to other areas of the curriculum. William Ford is my 384th customer, and I wish them well in their broadcasting endeavours."
William Ford Radio is currently broadcasting weekdays across the school site, and we look forward to the continued development of this exciting and enriching initiative. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to build upon the success of our radio station and explore new opportunities for learning and growth.
For song requests, news and interview ideas and shoutouts, please email: radio@williamfordschool.co.uk