NetSupport was able to help a school radio station re-launch when disaster struck.
Spalding Grammar School is very proud of its school radio station, Tower Radio. Students are involved with every aspect of the station, from equipment set-up and use to broadcasting, website and graphic design. There’s even a waiting list of students wanting to join!
Unfortunately, during Autumn half term, disaster struck. A flood left the student radio room under around 5 inches of water, with all equipment completely destroyed from being submerged over the break.
Staff and students were determined to get the station up and running again as soon as possible, not only because it’s important enrichment for the students but they also wanted to be able to showcase it at their upcoming Sixth Form Open Evening.
They put out a plea on social media and in local news outlets for equipment donations and, luckily, NetSupport (developer of classroom.cloud) saw their call-out and was able to provide equipment to the school from its own radio station.
What the radio station means to Spalding Grammar School
Tower Radio has been ‘huge’ for students at Spalding Grammar School and has become a real community project. For example, they have had staff come in and talk about books they read when they were young to encourage a love of reading – and are inviting former sixth form students to talk about the paths they took after finishing school to inspire younger students in their future of work/education.
The station has its own Spotify channel and a licence to broadcast music which enables the students to choose music they want to play over the airwaves too! The students take responsibility for setting up and using the equipment.
Student Support Lead, Jane Chiappino explains, “The boys love the equipment. They taught themselves how to use it, they’re learning life skills understanding how to use and operate it.”
When the station launched, it became a business project where students designed the logo and website, learning a range of industry skills, having the opportunity to be creative and work across the curriculum. One student even wants to do an apprenticeship in radio production – an opportunity they wouldn’t have considered without this experience.
The open evening
The students were absolutely thrilled when the equipment arrived from NetSupport.
Jane Chiappino said: “They literally ran to Reception and got started setting it all up straight away. They even stayed after school to get everything sorted. The radio is where they really feel they belong.”
A post from Tower Radio’s X channel about its school’s Sixth Form Open Evening.
She added that the open evening was a great success and how there were also many keen parents wanting to have a go on the radio and choose what music to play!
The students loved showcasing this community enrichment to potential sixth form students, helping them to see a core creative part of their school. When asked how the equipment helped, Jane explained, “It really saved our bacon! We’re so grateful, as we couldn’t have got the station going again without it.”