Top Marks for Synergy from Highdown School

Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre have had a Synergy Radio system for 3 years and are extremely happy with it.

The school choose to go with the Synergy Portable as it can be wheeled around, anywhere that has disabled access which comes in extremely handy when the school have events around the school.  The radio studio is located next to the exam hall which means that it can easily be moved to another room, in the event that the school hall needs to be used for exams or another event.

Alex Beglin, 1st Line ICT Technician from Highdown says "Since purchasing the Synergy system from Clyde Broadcast, the service has been top class!  The hard drive that runs the radio PC sadly failed in its 3 year.  I called up for help and was sent new installation disks, spent about 2 hours on the phone with their technical support and was amazed that there was no charge for any of it!  In my 3 years of working as an IT technician, it’s the highest level of customer service I have ever dealt with"

Alex continues to say...

"The Synergy system is extremely easy to use compared to other ways to run a radio station.  The software and the hardware is all linked together which makes sounding professional a breeze.  Our pupils don’t need to understand the technical side of the system to use it, a 10 minute demo is all they need to then be able to produce their own radio show"

"I would recommend the Synergy systems to any school, especially smaller schools that do not have much technical knowledge.  As long as you know how to turn a computer on, you can produce a radio show with this system"

Radio’s countless benefits for positive learning outcomes

With student engagement a key priority for schools across the country, educators are tasked with implementing new techniques in which to capture student attention. Mark Duxbury of Accrington Academy discusses how the school’s implementation of radio broadcast equipment has supported it in achieving heightened learner engagement.

Top tips for successful radio implementation

Top tips for successful radio implementation

Radio broadcast equipment is increasingly recognised as an exciting way to deliver a unique learning experience. Here, Greg Hodgson, senior leader at The Chalfonts Community College, Gerrards Cross, provides his advice for those considering introducing a radio studio.

Reaching learners with radio

Accrington Academy is currently attended by 1,050 learners. Following Government funding, the school underwent a multi-million pound overhaul in 2009. The decision was made to introduce radio broadcast equipment to engage its learners, bring the curriculum to life and enhance learning outcomes for children of all abilities.

Broadening educational outcomes with radio

At a time of economic uncertainty, purchasing decisions within the education sector, particularly those regarding expensive kit require greater consideration than ever before.  Here, Greg Hodgson of Chalfonts Community College, discusses the school’s decision to purchase a radio studio, and explores the return on investment in terms of educational benefits and enhancing students’ overall learning journey.

Breaking boundaries with innovation

With education sector budgets facing cuts under the new coalition government, procurement decisions within schools are increasingly measured, with non-essential expenditure being reduced in some schools.

Here, Tim Ennion, assistant headteacher at Noadswood School, an 11-16 sports college in Hampshire, discusses the importance of reaching learners with technology that is relevant to them. Despite many ICT based solutions seeming costly, the benefits and return on investment (ROI) is high, and Tim explores how technology can increase student and parental engagement, thus enhancing a student’s learning journey.

Helping schools sculpt the stars of the future

For many young people a career in the entertainment industry is the ultimate dream; whether it be as a presenter, producer or in a technical role. Here, Andrew Doree, head of languages at Sandhurst School, Bracknell explores the benefits of radio broadcast equipment within education and how it can positively support young people’s learning.

Castell Alun High School's radio station is set to hit the airwaves in Flintshire.

Students and staff at Castell Alun High School, Hope, Flintshire, are eagerly planning the new school radio station after receiving a £5,000 grant from the national Awards for All scheme.

Gareth Lloyd, media studies subject leader, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for students of all ages and abilities to experience the making of a school radio station."