Digital masters at an early age

DJs are starting young at Westfields Junior School in Yateley thanks to the success of the pupils' own radio station.

S'Cool radio was launched last term and is unique locally, as only a handful of junior schools nationally have their own stations.

Run by a team of pupils, they plan and record the programmes themselves and take turns broadcasting them.

It is also used by children across the Hampshire school in other curriculum areas.

Such is the success of the station – which also features fillers designed by the children who then instruct staff – there are now plans to open it up to the wider community if the school applies for a broadcasting licence.

"We're looking at ways of doing this," said headteacher Karine George.

"We might ask local businesses to sponsor us in return for free advertising. It's just an idea."

At present parents can only listen to the station via the school website or learning platform, or if they're on the premises.

The station cost £28,000 to set up, including equipment.

It's very first broadcast was supported by 96.4 Eagle Radio and The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) who spent the morning with the pupils and passed on some professional tips.

"This station will help our children get jobs in the future," said Mrs George.

"We're already 11 years into the new millennium and learning needs to change. Our children are already digital native so we need to use the tools they use so that they're ready when they reach the world of work."