Youngsters at Barton St Lawrence Primary in Barton have learned how to podcast using computers at an after-school club.

Pupils have been making audio recordings about some of their favourite subjects and uploading them on to a website for their parents to listen to.

And now the budding broadcasters have made a podcast for lep.co.uk for our Proud of Preston campaign, telling us what they love about the city.
Children can be heard talking about how they are proud of Preston's restaurants, the countryside and Preston North End.

Key Stage 2 teacher Andrea Loughran, who runs the weekly club with fellow teacher Stacey Bullock, said podcasting was helping kids with reading, writing and other skills.

She said: "Children have done podcasts about events that have happened in school or whatever interests them – maypole dancing, football and cricket have been recent ones.

"But it's not just about doing a podcast.

"The children have to do a script, which helps with elements of literacy, and they have to work as a team.

"Then there are problem-solving and computer skills.

"It wasn't easy a first but it gets easier with practice."

Around 20 children aged seven to 11 have been involved with the club on Monday afternoons.

Pupil Thomas Ikin, nine, said: "We do news and music and put it on the computer.

"It's very good and I like using the computer."

The project came about with the help of Gary Cunliffe, a modern languages teacher at Broughton Business and Enterprise College, who helped train Barton pupils and teachers in podcasting skills.

He said: "Podcasting is perfect for primary teachers teaching literacy and speaking skills.

"And the children were keen, talented and enthusiastic."

Click on the green play icon above to hear the children's podcast

* Is your school interested in doing a podcast for lep.co.uk? Call 01772 838166 or e-mail lep.newdesk@lep.co.uk.

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