PUPILS at Chadsgrove School in Catshill have been making the news quite literally this year.

The youngsters have set up their own news programme, to showcase some of the things going on at the school, with broadcasts going out every two weeks on YouTube.

The news programme ‘Chadsgrove News’ which launched in February, was the brainchild of senior teaching assistant Tom Stevens from the school’s ICT team, and a small group of students, who now report on everything from the school turning 40, and a new building under construction on the campus, to school projects on the Vikings, trips to the zoo, and visits from theatre companies and a Porsche garage.

Tom said: “Initially, the project was organised by myself, but the students are beginning to take over more and more. They now write the scripts and record the sound and video. I currently do the editing, but from September, we are able to spend 90 minutes a week on it, so they will begin to learn some video editing skills. Eventually I'd like the students to run and lead the project, while I take a backseat and help when needed.

“We currently have three students working on the project, a year 11 and two year 10s. All have a range of different learning and physical disabilities, and I've given them different roles to suit their needs and abilities. We will expand next year to (hopefully) around six to eight students in the project.”

Chadsgrove News is presented by pupils Grace Kempson and Ashleigh Bennett.

Ashleigh said: "Chadsgrove News has really helped me with my confidence. I love watching it each week and showing my family."

Head teacher Deb Rattley, added: "Chadsgrove News is a fabulous way of our pupils sharing what is happening both in and out of school. It's wonderful to see how the confidence of the broadcasters, Ashleigh and Grace has developed and how much everyone at school loves listening to the news."