YEAR seven students Jake Calcutt, Luke Tandy and Tom Dobbins have used the school’s state of the art digital recording studio facilities to record a podcast which aims to help children from other schools coming to Wolverley in September.

The podcast tells new students what life is like at Wolverley, and some of the ways in which being in a secondary school differs from being in primary school. It is hoped that students who may be worried about the transition will be reassured and all new students will know more about what to expect when they arrive. The podcast can be seen on the school’s website, www.wolverley.worcs.sch.uk Teacher Phil Rose said “The boys wrote and performed the script themselves as part of their Opening Minds classes. Next year, they plan to make more podcasts and cover some of the issues in greater detail.”

Assistant head, Susan Bourne, explained that the combination of media literacy and music is an excellent example of how Wolverley’s Music College status is being used to create excellent and innovative learning opportunities, and added that it is hoped to explore the use of podcasting and internet-based radio.

In addition to the podcast and other essential information about the school, the website includes an interactive forum for new students. This will be ‘live’ right through the summer holidays – and beyond – so any queries can be solved before term starts.

These features are part of a full transition programme which included a new parents’ evening and an induction programme when year six students from various school spent several days at Wolverley.

“This is an extremely important time in our calendar. The aim is that the students will start at Wolverley in September feeling at ease in their surroundings,” explained Mrs Blake, deputy headteacher.

And does it work? “Definitely! On the first of their induction days the students look apprehensive.

“By their final day here, the difference is immense as they’re relaxed and smiling.”