North Hertfordshire College’s Entry Level 3 Creative Industries learners, who are part of our Supported Studies programme, have created a live podcast as one of their first college projects. The task was both exciting and engaging for the students, offering plenty of fun while also contributing to their accreditation.
As part of their first project on their new course they were asked to create a media piece. Rising to the challenge, learners planned two six-episode podcast series over a six-week period, resulting in the creation of our very first Supported Studies student podcast. This thoughtful, collaborative project saw students writing scripts, recording audio, and editing their own episodes to share proudly with friends and family.
The students gained valuable creative and communication skills throughout the journey of creating the podcast. They also developed a wide range of soft skills essential for managing real-life projects, including interviewing, planning, editing, and teamwork. For students who find traditional learning methods like reading and writing more challenging, this approach offered a meaningful alternative. By working in a way that suited their individual needs, learners were able to engage fully and reach their potential in a less conventional but equally valuable way.
The aim was to ensure the work was inclusive, differentiated and empowering. Students were encouraged to choose areas of the creative arts where they felt confident and able to build on their strengths, allowing every learner to contribute meaningfully. The final recordings were delivered by two students, with Izzy’s podcast focussing on photography and Jack’s about his love of football.
Following the success of the student podcast, there has been growing interest in using this approach more widely within the team. Many learners and staff are now discussing how podcasting and similar media-based activities could be used as an alternative pathway to access learning beyond traditional methods.
Nick Wilson-Clinch, who teaches the Creative Industries course in Supported Studies at NHC, told us: “The project acted as an exploratory introduction to the creative arts, where students got to express themselves and build on their strengths. It was a great activity to develop our learner’s confidence, who are proud of their work. I have also seen a rise in learners’ self-esteem.”
Congratulations to our students and the E3 Creative Industries team on this successful project!
Interested in learning more about North Hertfordshire College’s sector-leading SEND courses? Explore NHC’s Supported Studies courses today.