Radiowaves
"Some pupils with poor school attendance have had better attendance for Radiowaves. Its changed the way they see school".
CapeUK - in partnership with digital innovation company Synergy.TV and broadcasting specialists Sound-Works - brought online radio into 10 Leeds schools through the Radiowaves project by creating a network of stations to help engage pupils in the learning process (www.radiowaves.co.uk )
The first phase of the Radiowaves project worked with some of the most challenging young people (14-16) within the education system and the results were remarkable. Many of the young people - some who were in danger of opting out of education - moved from disinterest to engagement. As the course progressed there was also a marked improvement in attendance.
Teachers and learning mentors in the schools were integral to the delivery, using the radio work in a variety of ways to address curriculum areas such as citizenship, ICT, communication and literacy. Through evaluation, they have identified learning media skills, using new and creative approaches to teaching and learning as well as the opportunity to having access to a broader professional learning network.
Radiowaves was subsequently rolled out to a further 15 schools across West Yorkshire.
The project was the winner of the prestigious BETT Innovation Award in 2004 - the annual major show of ICT and education at Olympia.