BBC School Radio
Encyclopedia
BBC School Radio is the audio division of BBC Schools
, the educational division of the BBC. It is aimed at primary schools.
. It broadcast only in the London area on the 2LO
network (Britain's second ever radio station). In 1927 it went national. Feedback on the broadcasting was collected from schoolteachers in Kent
, funded by the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust
. In 1928 the Central Council for School Broadcasting (CCSB) was formed, whose first two Chairmen were Herbert Fisher
and Eustace Percy, 1st Baron Percy of Newcastle
. Each subject broadcast had a Subject Committee, staffed by teachers.
From 1929-57, the first Director of School Broadcasting was Mary Somerville. By the 1930s, secondary schools were included and to whom foreign language education was broadcast. Older listeners were also tuning in.
After the Newsom Report
in 1963, more series were made about the transition from school to work. The 1960s to 1980s were regarded as a 'golden age' for British schools radio broadcasting.
By the early 1970s, around 90% of schools were using the School Radio service, with the BBC producing around 80 series per year for School Radio, which amounted to around 16 hours per week.
From 1983, older programmes were available on cassette from the Centre of Educational Technology in Mold, Flintshire
. By the mid 1990s, schools broadcasts were being marginalised from daytime radio. They were broadcast for many years on Radio 4
's FM frequencies - 11am (9.05am on Thursdays) to 12noon and 2pm to 3pm - before switching to Radio 5
in September 1990 when programmes were broadcast between 9am and 10.25am. After the original Radio 5 had closed, some schools programmes from Summer 1994 to Summer 1996 were broadcast from 2pm to 3pm on Radio 3
, much to the chagrin of many of that station's listeners, with others going out on the same station overnight. From Autumn 1996 all programmes were broadcast overnight during Radio 3
's downtime where they could be pre-recorded, before finally switching to overnight broadcasts on the digital version of Radio 4
in Autumn 2003. Since 2003 all school radio programmes have been available on the internet. The advent of podcast
s has opened up a whole new avenue for the school radio service.
, not the BBC, though the BBC began schools television four months later. The BBC's television service had begun in 1936, and stopped for the war, to begin again in 1946. Schools television was shown on on BBC1
until 1983 when it moved to BBC2
.
No commercial broadcasters have ever produced educational radio programmes for schools.
. In the same year, from 3 to 5 July, a three day festival was held at Pebble Mill Studios
in Birmingham. It was hosted by Duncan Goodhew
, Sue Lawley
and Rolf Harris
.
in London. Broadcasts take place in the middle of the night (3am to 4.30am) on Radio 4 Digital from Tuesdays to Fridays. Programmes can be recorded under the Educational Recording Agency copyright laws, but podcasts are freely available as well.
Pre-recorded programmes are available on CD or DVD from BBC Schools' Broadcast Recordings, based in Market Harborough
.
BBC Schools
BBC Schools, also known as BBC for Schools and Colleges, is the educational programming strand set up by the BBC in 1957, broadcasting a range of educational programmes for children aged 5–16. From launch until June 1983, programming was based on BBC One during the daytime, before programming was...
, the educational division of the BBC. It is aimed at primary schools.
History
BBC School Radio began on 4 April 1924 when the BBC was still the British Broadcasting Company (it became a Corporation in 1927). The first school broadcast was given by the composer Sir Walford Davies, Professor of Music at Gresham CollegeGresham College
Gresham College is an institution of higher learning located at Barnard's Inn Hall off Holborn in central London, England. It was founded in 1597 under the will of Sir Thomas Gresham and today it hosts over 140 free public lectures every year within the City of London.-History:Sir Thomas Gresham,...
. It broadcast only in the London area on the 2LO
2LO
2LO was the second radio station to regularly broadcast in the United Kingdom . It began broadcasting on 11 May 1922, for one hour a day from the seventh floor of Marconi House in London's Strand...
network (Britain's second ever radio station). In 1927 it went national. Feedback on the broadcasting was collected from schoolteachers in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, funded by the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust
Carnegie United Kingdom Trust
Carnegie United Kingdom Trust is a charitable foundation based in the United Kingdom, established by Scottish-born American steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie on the model of his U.S. foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York....
. In 1928 the Central Council for School Broadcasting (CCSB) was formed, whose first two Chairmen were Herbert Fisher
Herbert Fisher
Herbert Albert Laurens Fisher OM, FRS, PC was an English historian, educator, and Liberal politician. He served as President of the Board of Education in David Lloyd George's 1916 to 1922 coalition government....
and Eustace Percy, 1st Baron Percy of Newcastle
Eustace Percy, 1st Baron Percy of Newcastle
Eustace Sutherland Campbell Percy, 1st Baron Percy of Newcastle PC , styled Lord Eustace Percy between 1899 and 1953, was a British diplomat, Conservative politician and public servant...
. Each subject broadcast had a Subject Committee, staffed by teachers.
From 1929-57, the first Director of School Broadcasting was Mary Somerville. By the 1930s, secondary schools were included and to whom foreign language education was broadcast. Older listeners were also tuning in.
Second World War
During the Second World War, School Radio gained a new importance. Any regional variations were consolidated into a single home service for children with a five minute news broadcast that was designed to explain the confusing circumstances. By 1942, half of all British schools were listening.Post war
The School Broadcasting Council for the United Kingdom had been set up in 1947, replacing the CCSB, and included Scotland and Wales.After the Newsom Report
Newsom Report
The Newsom Report of 1963 was a United Kingdom government report , which looked at the education of average and below average children. Entitled "Half our Future" the report argued that the future of the country depended on better education for those of below average ability...
in 1963, more series were made about the transition from school to work. The 1960s to 1980s were regarded as a 'golden age' for British schools radio broadcasting.
By the early 1970s, around 90% of schools were using the School Radio service, with the BBC producing around 80 series per year for School Radio, which amounted to around 16 hours per week.
From 1983, older programmes were available on cassette from the Centre of Educational Technology in Mold, Flintshire
Mold, Flintshire
Mold is a town in Flintshire, North Wales, on the River Alyn. It is the administrative seat of Flintshire County Council, and was also the county town of Clwyd from 1974 to 1996...
. By the mid 1990s, schools broadcasts were being marginalised from daytime radio. They were broadcast for many years on Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
's FM frequencies - 11am (9.05am on Thursdays) to 12noon and 2pm to 3pm - before switching to Radio 5
BBC Radio 5 (former)
BBC Radio 5 was a BBC radio network that carried sport, children's and educational programmes.It was transmitted via analogue radio on 693 and 909 kHz, and lasted for three years and eight months. The success of BBC Radio 4's coverage of the Gulf War, on a service known as Scud FM,...
in September 1990 when programmes were broadcast between 9am and 10.25am. After the original Radio 5 had closed, some schools programmes from Summer 1994 to Summer 1996 were broadcast from 2pm to 3pm on Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
, much to the chagrin of many of that station's listeners, with others going out on the same station overnight. From Autumn 1996 all programmes were broadcast overnight during Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
's downtime where they could be pre-recorded, before finally switching to overnight broadcasts on the digital version of Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
in Autumn 2003. Since 2003 all school radio programmes have been available on the internet. The advent of podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
s has opened up a whole new avenue for the school radio service.
Diversification
TV broadcasting for schools began on 13 May 1957 (this had been hoped to begin in the late 1940s, but financial constraints prevented this). This was first broadcast by Associated-RediffusionAssociated-Rediffusion
Associated-Rediffusion, later Rediffusion, London, was the British ITV contractor for London and parts of the surrounding counties, on weekdays between 1954 and 29 July 1968. Transmissions started on 22 September 1955.-Formation:...
, not the BBC, though the BBC began schools television four months later. The BBC's television service had begun in 1936, and stopped for the war, to begin again in 1946. Schools television was shown on on BBC1
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
until 1983 when it moved to BBC2
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
.
No commercial broadcasters have ever produced educational radio programmes for schools.
Anniversary
On 4 April 1984, John Dunn presented a programme entitle Faith, Hope and Clarity, about the sixty years of BBC Schools Radio, on Radio 4BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
. In the same year, from 3 to 5 July, a three day festival was held at Pebble Mill Studios
Pebble Mill Studios
The BBC 's Pebble Mill Studios were located in Edgbaston, a suburb of Birmingham, England. The views from the roof overlooked Cannon Hill Park, a nature centre, as well as Birmingham's city centre...
in Birmingham. It was hosted by Duncan Goodhew
Duncan Goodhew
Duncan Alexander Goodhew MBE is a British swimming athlete. After swimming competitively in America as a collegian at North Carolina State University, he was an Olympic swimmer for Great Britain and won Olympic gold and bronze medals at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.-Biography:Goodhew...
, Sue Lawley
Sue Lawley
- Early life and education:Born in Sedgley, Staffordshire, England and brought up in the Black Country, she was educated at Dudley Girls High School and graduated in modern languages from the University of Bristol and some time later started her career at the BBC in Plymouth...
and Rolf Harris
Rolf Harris
Rolf Harris, CBE, AM is an Australian musician, singer-songwriter, composer, painter and television personality.Born in Perth, Western Australia, Harris was a champion swimmer before studying art. He moved to England in 1952, where he started to appear on television programmes on which he drew the...
.
Presenters
Presenters have included -- Sophie AldredSophie AldredSophie Aldred is an English actress and television presenter, best known for her portrayal of The Doctor's companion Ace in the television series Doctor Who during the late 1980s.-Early life:...
- Sandra KerrSandra KerrSandra Kerr is an English folk singer.Sandra Kerr was born in Plaistow, Newham, London. She was a member of The Critics Group from 1963 to 1972.She sings and plays English concertina, guitar, appalachian dulcimer and autoharp....
- Simon MayorSimon MayorSimon Mayor is a mandolinist and fiddle player, guitarist, and composer.- Works :With his solo debut The Mandolin Album in 1990 he embarked on a series of recordings to give the mandolin a uniquely British voice. The CD was made Recording of the Week on BBC Radio 2...
- Rhoda PowerRhoda PowerRhoda Dolores le Poer Power , was a broadcaster and children's writer.-Life and career:...
, sister of the historian Eileen PowerEileen PowerEileen Edna LePoer Power was an important British economic historian and medievalist. Eileen Power was the eldest daughter of a stockbroker and was born at Altrincham in 1889. She was a sister of Rhoda Power, the children's writer and broadcaster...
, who produced historical output from 1927 until 1957
Structure
It is based on Wood LaneWood Lane
Wood Lane is a street in London. It runs north from Shepherd's Bush, under the Westway past Wormwood Scrubs where it meets Scrubs Lane. The road is wholly in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham...
in London. Broadcasts take place in the middle of the night (3am to 4.30am) on Radio 4 Digital from Tuesdays to Fridays. Programmes can be recorded under the Educational Recording Agency copyright laws, but podcasts are freely available as well.
Content
It is divided into eight subjects:Pre-recorded programmes are available on CD or DVD from BBC Schools' Broadcast Recordings, based in Market Harborough
Market Harborough
Market Harborough is a market town within the Harborough district of Leicestershire, England.It has a population of 20,785 and is the administrative headquarters of Harborough District Council. It sits on the Northamptonshire-Leicestershire border...
.
Former programmes
- In the News - produced by Radio News and School Radio in the early 1980s for ages 9 to 12
- Wavelength - youth culture programme, with content borrowed from Radio 1BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
in the 1980s - Talks to Sixth Forms - introduced in 1935, and had distinguished speakers such as G. K. ChestertonG. K. ChestertonGilbert Keith Chesterton, KC*SG was an English writer. His prolific and diverse output included philosophy, ontology, poetry, plays, journalism, public lectures and debates, literary and art criticism, biography, Christian apologetics, and fiction, including fantasy and detective fiction....
, T. S. EliotT. S. EliotThomas Stearns "T. S." Eliot OM was a playwright, literary critic, and arguably the most important English-language poet of the 20th century. Although he was born an American he moved to the United Kingdom in 1914 and was naturalised as a British subject in 1927 at age 39.The poem that made his...
and E. M. ForsterE. M. ForsterEdward Morgan Forster OM, CH was an English novelist, short story writer, essayist and librettist. He is known best for his ironic and well-plotted novels examining class difference and hypocrisy in early 20th-century British society... - How Things Began - a natural history programme broadcast in 1943
- Make Up Your Mind - discussion programme for sixth formers
See also
- BBC SwitchBBC SwitchBBC Switch was the brand for BBC content aimed at UK teenagers. The brand launched on Saturday 20 October 2007 on BBC Two And ceased broadcasting on Saturday 17 December 2010...
, BBC output for teenagers from 2007-10 - The Big Toe Radio ShowThe Big Toe Radio ShowThe Big Toe Radio Show was a daily show for children on the DAB radio station BBC 7 at breakfast time and from 4-6pm. It was aimed at children aged nine to eleven. It featured music, games, stories read from well-known books such as those by Roald Dahl and fun...
- NewsroundNewsroundNewsround is a BBC children's news programme, which has run continuously since 4 April 1972, and was one of the world's first television news magazines aimed specifically at children...
- BectaBectaBecta was a non-departmental public body ] funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, in the UK It was a charity and a company limited by guarantee. In the post-election spending review in May 2010, it was announced that Becta was to be abolished...
- formed from what was the Council for Educational Technology - BBC LearningBBC LearningBBC Learning can refer to the following:* A department within the BBC , part of BBC Vision* The portal website created by BBC Learning* A website created by BBC Worldwide-BBC Worldwide:...