SCHOOLS in the Forest have scooped prizes at the Forest of Dean 2013 FODcast Awards evening in Mitchel­dean.

For the second year running, The Warranty Group teamed up with local community radio station Triangle FM to launch its FODcast radio challenge – where the students' work was aired. The project saw each of the groups from Dene Magna, Forest E-ACT Academy, Lakers and Newent undertake research, conduct interviews, compose and perform jingles, write and record reports and use IT skills to create a 30 minute programme.

The broadcasts covered a range of topics from community outreach programmes, local events, support groups and local news bulletins, as well as explored national current affairs topics and hard hitting issues such as bullying.

Listeners interacted with the schools and offered support by posting comments on the station's Facebook page.

Roger Thorne, volunteer and project leader at Cinderford-based Triangle FM, said: "The students started working on their individual radio shows late last year and the FODcast has proved to be a huge success in bringing students of all ages together to develop new skills, learn more about their local areas and grow in confidence and ability. I'm pleased that The Warranty Group has agreed to continue the project so that the FODcast can continue to be part of our outreach to local communities in the Forest of Dean."

Dene Magna picked up a prize for listenability while Lakers had the best research & planning and Forest E-ACT Academy was praised for their community spirit, Newent Community School & Sixth Form Centre received an award for clarity of message.

Learning and Development General Manager of The Warranty Group, Martin Scrivens, commented: "This campaign is very close to my heart. We believe in supporting the home grown talent that we have here in the Forest, which is why we have designed this initiative to showcase the best of what our schools have to offer. Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2013 FODcast programme."