OSCAR Radio
When the School Foundation was set up, it was decided that it would fund
a modest project as well as the Patrick Centre, and it was subsequently agreed
that the Foundation would provide £70,000 to set up a school radio station
and recording studio. Funds came from the generosity of OOs, and in particular
support and help were received from Sir Howard Stringer (OO) and Mr Carl Heinlein
(OO).
In 1998 a team was established, and a pupil came up with the name OSCAR. With
help from ASC Systems, three studios were built in the Gascoigne Building,
which consisted of professional equipment used by commercial small-scale radio
stations. In September 1998, the master then in charge of OSCAR, Mr. David
Fuller, together with staff and pupils, began to work on material in preparation
for the first 28 day broadcast that took place in November.
OSCAR Radio continues to go from strength to strength, and now broadcasts
from converted studios in Old Dryden which are advanced by any school and
university standards. The radio station is an established part of School life,
and during the broadcast period the atmosphere in the community changes. A
great number of pupils get involved, and are asked to deal with technical
and managerial problems that occur when such a large operation takes place.
Now established as the leading school radio station in the country, OSCAR
Radio’s aims include providing support to other school radio stations,
and exchanging ideas and good practice. Over 2000 pupils have taken part in
OSCAR broadcasts since 1998, and the opportunities it presents for pupils
to get an introduction into the world of digital media, and face the responsibilities
that come with this field of work, are invaluable.
In the future, OSCAR Radio aims to be at the forefront of the “digital
revolution” and work is being done in webcasting, podcasting and looking
to the provision of digital audio and video feeds of School events through
both the Intranet and the OSCAR website. The provision of traditional FM radio
will continue until such time as the government switch the nation’s
radio to DAB in the next decade.
Visit our website at OSCAR
Radio.
Chris Pettitt