School Radio – Radio in the curriculum – where do I start – getting on air

Professional Radio for education

Getting started with radio doesn’t have to cost you a penny. We are open about this obvious fact because above all, we are passionate about radio and any opportunity to get people of all ages interested in our wonderful industry is one that we welcome with open arms.
You can start podcasting right away, without purchasing any equipment at all. All you need is an idea for a short feature, a microphone, a laptop and some free editing software. Click here for a copy.

Once you have created your piece of audio, you can upload it to a brilliant online resource called Audioboo. Click here for their home page. Your “boos” can then be embedded into your school website for anyone to listen to.

If you find that you would like to move forward from simple podcasting, the next step is your own radio studio. We design solutions from the ground up to meet your goals, our engineers will design the system with you, to ensure you are getting exactly what you want and need.
School Broadcast Radio Studios are designed with education in mind, using commercial and BBC techniques to achieve smooth operations.

If you would like to know more, contact us today. Use our expertise and inside radio knowledge. Bounce your ideas or clarify your thoughts with our team. Talk is cheap, but discussions and shared ideas are priceless.

When you are ready to move forward, talk to us first. We will advise you on every product, from every provider and ensure that you get the best solution possible. Our advice is free, we are independent, so we can provide you with advice on equipment from any supplier with honest, open information.

You don’t work with Special Media Projects LLP. WE work with YOU. Whatever your needs, whatever your ideas and whatever your budget, we will help you find the right solution.

You can email us through the contact page (we don’t display our email addresses as some nasty people like to spam) or use the number at the top of this page to call. Its a local rate number, no matter where you are…. We can always call you back too.

What is School Broadcast from Special Media Projects LLP?

Special Media Projects, School Broadcast solutions  have been created with education in mind. Our expert broadcast professionals craft every studio specifically for your needs. Our entire team have had many years of ‘hands on’ experience in radio WORLDWIDE, all hailing from a presenting, journalistic or broadcast engineering background. This means we know first hand what it is like in the real world and can pass on this invaluable knowledge and experience to you. Over 60% of the radio stations in the UK have used our solutions.

We listen to your needs, craft your solution and design the final product with you, the user in mind. Because we are not an equipment manufacturer, we can integrate our software with the most suitable equipment for your needs. Including Sonifex, Clyde Broadcast, Alice and Wheatstone to name but a few.

It is this approach to radio studio design that not only gives you the best possible studio for your needs, but has led us to work with some of the UK’s leading educators and independent projects, including:

  • Secondary Schools
  • Further Education
  • University
  • Community outreach and youth Projects
  • All radio, including community, hospital commercial and BBC

To find out more about we are the leading school radio solution providers please click here to contact us.

Digital or Analogue?

This is a hot question, and you’ll be pleased to know that we provide and advise on both methods, because we know that every solution has different needs we work with you to assess your goals and provide a solution to not only meet, but exceed on every level.

Discover Radio

We don’t need to tell you what radio is in its traditional sense, but the boundaries of what radio is, have changed.
Ever since Guglielmo Marconi made his historic foray into broadcasting in 1901, technology has been advancing at an astonishing rate. What once was an industry only accessible by the broadcasting elite, is now an amazing platform available to anyone.

Radio was used primarily for communicating information audibly without wired connections over the air. But as is the the human thirst for entertainment, radio soon became the centre of entertainment life for the greater population. The BBC for many years was the only choice on the radio dial, and overnight… Well there was nothing!

It wasn’t until 1973 that an alternative (apart from the pirates) was on offer when the first official commercial radio station in the UK launched. LBC, available on the VHF (FM) frequency was different to the traditional BBC stations as it sold commercial advertising to fund its programming.

Radio, was traditionally broadcast ‘over the air’ using radio waves. If everyone had access to broadcast over air, the radio spectrum would be so cluttered, it would become completely useless. The radio frequencies in the UK are regulated by Ofcom, who distribute licences and regulate users. It is possible to precure an FM, AM or DAB licence for either short or long term periods, however with an official over air license comes lots of legislation.

With the advent of online technology and access to broadband, anyone and everyone is taking advantage radio broadcasting for a whole range of reasons.

It is the freedom, offered by new technologies that makes radio so accessible to educators. It makes radio not only a viable option but a wonderful way to engage, enthuse, learn and teach.

Teachers have noticed, within just hours, changes in students skills. Within only 4 hours of using a radio studio, students script writing skills improve, confidence grows and creativity blossoms. Disengaged students dig into research, reconnect with the class and grow into enthusiastic model performers.

Radio, connecting and communicating since 1901.