Express FM 93.7, Creative Partnerships and St Swithun’s Primary School, Southsea

‘I’m frightened,’ said the 10 year old St Swithun's student from under a pair of headphones, shrinking from the large microphone in front of her. She was about to take part in an hour-long radio show at Express FM’s mint-new Portsmouth studios involving all 90 pupils in her 5/6 year group. Like the others, she'd already met the producer - Express FM’s weekday breakfast show host

(tune in, 6-9am!) Simon Gibbons - who’d visited St Swithun’s at the start of the project offering expert advice, and was now armed with a script she'd written and rewritten, typed up at school and thoroughly rehearsed. She knew that although studio time is precious, since this wasn't live, any mistakes could be rectified. She’d practised listening to her voice as it would sound once recorded by speaking with her hands cupped in front of her ears. (Try it.) She was fully prepared yet reluctant to take this final step: committing her voice to broadcast.

The project was proficiently brokered by Helen from Creative Partnerships - the creative learning programme, hosted by The University of Portsmouth, designed to develop the skills of young people, raising their aspirations and achievements and opening up more opportunities for their futures - which was now in its second year of working with St Swithun’s. Express FM, dedicated to lifelong learning with regular presenters from teenage to post-pension age and numerous training programmes reaching even wider age groups, was, and is, most familiar with inducting those new to the airwaves. With a uniquely city-based focus and a willingness to incorporate as many local voices as possible, novice guests are an almost daily feature.

The hesitant student was asked to examine her feelings more closely. Considering this was a first-time experience for her, was she sure it was fear she was feeling? Could it perhaps be excitement instead? She lowered her head, deep in thought. Sunlight streamed through the second floor window into the immaculate, up-to-the-minute, air-conditioned studio. Dustless. She tipped up her chin, grinning, and leaned eagerly towards the mic:

‘Yes! I’m excited!’

Soon, her piece was recorded along with those of her peers, and the show, with its interviews, raps, quizzes, jokes, songs, plays and news reports, was ready for Simon to begin editing.

‘It’s a wrap!’ he declared.

To listen to the show, visit www.expressfm.com, select Listen Again and scroll down to Creative Partnerships - St Swithun's and press play. To learn more about Creative Partnerships visit www.creative-partnerships.com.

Happy listening!
Yours, Stella Mandella