Our work with students at the Folkestone Academy
Academy FM Folkestone is one of a handful of UK radio stations that put young people on live FM radio and we probably do it more frequently than any other station. Our students have won national Community Radio Awards, and the BBC Sounds Rising Talent Award two years in a row.
We are grateful to the Folkestone Academy for an annual grant towards the running of Academy FM, and the radio station has a close working relationship with the school. One example of this is our current work with students in Yrs7-11. We train and mentor them very closely, and our work builds their self-confidence and communication skills, and is a great way to develop teamworking. Our training methods are simple, structured, and don't put pressure on the young person. Young people thrive in our environment, whatever their background, academic ability or social skills.
You can hear our students on at various slots thoughout the week - on any given week there are at least 20 on air presenting live or pre-recorded shows
Our training is simple and methodical, and at least one member of Academy FM staff is always present. They work in groups and start by simply introducing songs, and this leads to training in how to write weather and travel bulletins, and how to present 'What's On' information. They also learn how to deliver conversational 'links'. We're very careful that they don't say things to embarass themselves - our first priority is to educate and protect our young volunteers.
Since 2011, we've worked with hundreds of young people, mostly students at the Folkestone Academy. Some of them are booked into regular sessions at lunchtimes..... some come to us after school.....and some do radio shows as part of their extra-curricular 'society' programs in the afternoons. Some of our young presenters knocked on the radio station door and asked what we did here, and they ended up learning to be radio presenters!
If you're a parent, teacher, or young person and want to know more or get involved, call the Station Manager, Dave Sharp on 01303 721059
