There’s a new sound that’s creating a buzz of excitement around Upton Juniors in Broadstairs – the launch of the school’s radio station.

In the few weeks since it began Radio Upton has become popular with children and staff, and plans to extend its programming and reach are ongoing.

Teacher Graham Smith is Music Lead at Upton and he is excited at the potential of the project and how quickly it has taken off.

He explained: “Radio Upton was started as a way of introducing pupils to some of the music tech side of the music department.

“The children learn how to set everything up, including microphones, interface and cables and over time they will all learn how to use the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to record each episode of Radio Upton.

“We are currently recording one episode each week with ten children working on the show – they also spend the week planning each episode and share responsibilities for different segments of each episode.”

Current segments in the programmes include interviews with teachers who chat about their favourite things, riddles and jokes, the Big Upton Quiz, and school news and current events.

Mr Smith added: “We plan to expand our content to have recordings of different Upton music groups performing, interviewing Upton sports teams and any other exciting ventures happening around the school.

“The children have been wonderful – each one has put their all into the shows and you can hear it from the first episode.

“I am very proud of what they have achieved in a very short space of time. We started the club a month weeks ago and have already produced our first episode that has been available for teachers to play to their classes. Our aim is to release episodes to parents in the near future.”

Radio Upton is open to Years 5 and 6 but there are limited spaces that are currently fully booked. It is an extra-curricular club that meets every Thursday morning before school.

Head of School Darci Arthur is supportive of the school’s latest venture. She said: “This encourages creativity in a different way and is a great addition to our broad-based music curriculum that is already very popular.

“It encourages children to learn a range of new skills and is important in embracing communication and teamwork.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Ramsgate Arts Primary and Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate.

For more information contact Head of School Darci Arthur on 01843 861393.