Advance Learning Partnership (ALP) , is an education trust based in County Durham and Darlington consisting of 9 secondary and 13 primary schools and is responsible for over 8500 children. ALP is dedicated to educating, empowering and inspiring future generations. One aspect of ALP’s commitment to it’s pupils is to further their education by providing them with real life experiences in industry accurate facilities. To expand the pupils, experience and support the local community ALP has built a radio studio to modern standards that will go live on DAB radio.
“We decided to build a radio studio that was fully equipped to industry standards. This allows pupils to have hands on experience with equipment that they would work with as they moved from school to a working in a bona fide radio station,” says Brett Sterling, Senior Network Manager for ALP. “I have a radio background which enabled me to specify everything that was needed for the studio.”
“From the start I knew we wanted to have a digital radio console for the station, it is what the pupils are going to see when moving into the real world. After reviewing multiple different options, we decided on the AxelTech Oxygen 3000 Plus. It was the best board that would work for us and the expansion opportunity works well for anything we may need in the future.”
ALP have installed a 12-fader Oxygen 3000 Plus with four Talk Boxes for neat connection of mic and headphones at the guest contributor positions along with integrated on-air indication. The Oxygen console will offer pupils a wide range of features to learn on. They’ll be able to utilise its powerful internal audio routing and wide range of controls. The console’s reliability and ease of use will enable them to explore user presets, smart keys and learn about EQ, compression familiarising them with what is found in commercial broadcast radio station.
“It is fantastic that ALP is interested in providing media studies for pupils giving them the opportunity to learn about the industry prior to transitioning to college or university, it only helps to support an industry that is vital to society today,” comments Matthew Fletcher, Sales & Marketing Director at HHB Communications. “We are delighted to specify and supply the Oxygen 3000 Plus for the station knowing that with broadcast radio features such as PFL, integrated Telco and ducking, it will a great console for pupils and the community to learn on.”
The station now is recruiting volunteers from pupils, teachers, and the wider community. It can be utilised not only to support GCSE coursework for the pupils but also provide a media hub for the wider community. Set to open fully in September it will be a great test that if successful could be introduced to more ALP schools and communities across England.
