MP hands out certificates to pupils studying at Riverside Radio

Young students who completed a course with their local community radio station have been awarded with a nationally recognised certificate, given to them by their local MP.

Marsha De Cordova, the Labour MP for Battersea, met 12 students from the St John Bosco College in Parkham Street following their successful completion of a new course with Riverside Radio. 

The first intake of students undertook two weekly sessions over the past year, learning how to create radio programmes, in order to achieve their Level 1 certificate in radio from national awarding organisation NCFE. 

Ms De Cordova congratulated the young people at the certificate ceremony at The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building in Wandsworth Common. 

During the course, students learnt how to record, edit and produce audio for radio.

They also produced their own Saturday morning radio programme, which they called The Riversiders. 

Zachary Maclou-Calvert, 15, said: “Riverside Radio is an experience I will value for years to come.

“Not only did it supply me with transferable skills, but it also provided me with insight into the industry of media and broadcasting that I otherwise would never have known.

“I learnt through the many sessions the ins and outs of the studio desk, and what really goes on behind the scenes. I was able to record and edit my own audio.” 

A number of radio professionals came into the Riverside Radio studios in Battersea Park Road to meet the students and explain how their careers have developed in the media, including BBC Radio 1 presenter Mary Mandefield and Times Radio host Darryl Morris. 

Leemar Sheriff, 15, said: “Attending Riverside Radio was a blast. We learnt how to go live on radio, and completely improved our public speaking skills. It gave a great boost of confidence as well.”

Leemar’s brother, 13-year-old Jude Sheriff, also completed the course, and said: “I had an amazing and enjoyable experience of being at Riverside Radio.

“Now, whenever I am in the car, I can visualise the hard work that is going on behind the broadcast. Also I liked talking on the radio and doing the research behind it. It was very fun.” 

The course was funded by education charity Sound Vision. Its chief executive, Dom Chambers, said: “Working with Riverside has been a fantastic collaboration.

“The station’s approach to training is exactly what Sound Vision is all about, a warm, spirited welcome nurturing young people’s creativity in a safe space of skills-based learning.”

Pictured top: Back: Esrom Mikiele (14), Jevan Newman (15), Dom Chambers (Sound Vison chief executive) and Nathaniel Donkah (16)
Middle:Emilia Pyka (17), Neriya Donkah (14), Jason Rosam (Riverside Radio Founder and Managing Director)
Bottom: Arthur Imankerdjo Lambert (12), Jude Sheriff (13), Leemar Sheriff (15), Barb Kostina (16), Marsha De Cordova MP, Peter Hantar (16) and Fayon Dixon (Education Director, Riverside Radio)
(Picture: Riverside Radio)