Students at Ron Dearing UTC have launched a podcast focused on a range of topics throughout the school year.
Radio Ron, which is led by 20 Year 10, 11 and 12 students and supported by artist and West Hull FM Drive Time radio presenter Andy Pea, follows a fast-moving format with an array of content created by the students.
They have taken up various roles, including editing, producing, interviewing, writing, recording and presenting, as well as learning how to edit segments for each podcast episode.
The first episode will include an interview with singer songwriter Brandon Hunt, who featured on ITV’s Starstruck show, a section on gaming and the best games to buy for Christmas, book reviews and a look at the UTC’s enrichment activities.
It will also feature a survey of the top 10 Christmas films and songs chosen by students, an interview with Major Partner Ørsted on green energy and sustainability and a UTC teacher interview.
Radio Ron will be aired on West Hull FM and will be available to download via the Ron Dearing UTC website in the coming weeks, with a new podcast planned every term.
Chris Berry, Assistant Principal – Cultural Capital at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “Radio Ron is a fantastic creative outlet for our students and much of it ties in nicely with what they’re learning in school.
“There’s a great mix of technology, creative digital and English, as well as confidence building, communication skills and teamwork, which are brilliant skills and positives to include in their CVs.
“We want to build a team of students who can then teach others and we can continue to increase the number of students involved.”
Radio Ron is part of Ron Dearing UTC’s Horizons Cultural Capital programme which promotes culture and creativity and broadening students’ horizons beyond the classroom.
Other podcast topics throughout the year will include revision tips and support during exams, pointers on how to prepare for interviews, a guide for new students joining the school and other relevant subjects to support students at each stage of their UTC journey.
Three former Ron Dearing UTC students who are now employed by Founding Partner Reckitt will also be interviewed about their careers and offer advice on following in their footsteps, as well as a look back at their time at the school.
Year 12 student Imogen Connolly, 17, who is studying Double Engineering and Maths at Ron Dearing UTC’s sixth form, is an interviewer and producer on the Radio Ron podcast team.
She said: “I’m interviewing staff and students about the UTC’s enrichment activities and I’m involved in the top 10 Christmas songs, films and books.
“The podcast is led by the students and will hopefully help people understand what’s happening at school.
“I’m learning how to speak in front of a wide range of audiences and being involved in the podcast will help me understand how to prepare for an interview because the skills are transferable.
“I’m really enjoying it and looking forward to recording more episodes.”
Further details of how to listen to Radio Ron will be released in the coming weeks.