School wants to launch radio station

National Comprehensive, of Annesley Road, needs support to raise 15,000 to buy high-tech kit.

If businesses or individuals are willing to help, they would receive advertising on the airwaves.

The scheme is seen as a positive addition to the school and pupils are already enthusiastic about the idea.

Various shows, ranging from news and sport to live debates, would be broadcast and the station could be used to tie in with subjects across the curriculum, from technology to drama.

Maureen Costin, who is head of the 14-to-19-year-olds at the school, said: "There is a lot of enthusiasm for the idea, particularly among a group of sixth-form students.

"If this were to get off the ground, it would only be limited by the pupils' imaginations."

National have a partnership with Tuxford Comprehensive School, of Newark and share an executive head teacher, Chris Pickering.

They regularly visit each other and the idea for the radio station came up during a recent trip by Tuxford youngsters to Hucknall.

During the visit, they had a tour of the town centre and the parish church, heard about the history of Hucknall and then took part in workshops back at the Annesley Road campus.

In the afternoon, there was a presentation by Clyde Broadcast Products, who supply equipment to the likes of Virgin Radio.

The firm brought with them a typical set-up that could be used for a school station and pupils took the opportunity to try it out and produce mini-shows for a demonstration.

Students are now keen to raise money themselves to get the project off the ground and intend to focus on the idea after the summer holidays.

Should it get off the ground, National's station would be the second at schools in Hucknall. Holgate Comprehensive have run a similar scheme for some time.

Anyone interested in supporting the National project should get in touch with the school on 0115 9635667.