Future stars of MediaCityUK celebrate their success

This is an archived news story from July 2010

Salford’s media stars of the future joined forces with BBC Newsround presenter Hayley Cutts and NBA basketball star John Amaechi to celebrate the end of the first year of the MediaCityUK schools programme.

The event, hosted by Hayley Cutts, saw partners from BBC, University of Salford and Salford City Council come together in a showcase event, highlighting the creative work of Salford schools over the past year.

As part of the MediaCityUK Public Sector Partners (PSP) programme, four inspirational schools projects have been funded by Salford City Council, Northwest Regional Development Agency and Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company to help raise the city’s young people’s aspirations and prepare them for the opportunities MediaCityUK will bring to their doorstep.

The programme has already proved a great success in its first year: over 2400 children from across Salford have so far signed up to take part in one or more of the projects.

Higher Futures 4 U encourages children to think about a whole range of different careers and jobs through workshops and visits to the BBC and the University of Salford.

The Mayor of the City of Salford, Councillor George Wilson, was a game volunteer as he took part in a workshop live on stage to demonstrate how pupils learn to raise their aspirations and aim higher.

The Me and My Movie project gives primary schools the chance to make their very own film, learning about everything from storyboarding and acting to editing and production.

Pupils from Moorside Primary School took to the stage to premiere their own film - Mission without Permission.

Guests were greeted by young roving reporters from St George’s High School who having been taking part in Radiowaves.

Every Salford high school now has their own online station where pupils can post podcasts, audio reports and videos and learn production and interviewing skills.

And another special guest, NBA star John Amaechi made a special appearance for the final Supporter 2 Reporter section of the event.

Aspiring reporters took the chance to interview John live on stage about his life and career. The interview was filmed and will be broadcast on the S2R channel of Radiowaves.

Councillor Margaret Morris, Salford City Council’s lead member for children’s services said: "I’m delighted to be able to showcase all the amazing work achieved so far by our young people and to be able to demonstrate the benefits of partnership working in such a fantastic way.

"Salford’s young people will be better prepared for MediaCityUK and excited and enthused about their futures."

Hayley Cutts said: "The move to Salford is such an exciting adventure for us at the BBC and this project is just what we need, to bring all the great work that the people of Salford do into the limelight"

The MediaCityUK Public Sector Partners schools programme will continue over the next two years and is open to every school in Salford.

Interested schools should contact Charlotte Pritchard on 0161 686 3692 or charlotte.pritchard@salford.gov.uk for more information.

Notes for editors

Watch a video to showcase the MediaCityUK schools programme.

MediaCityUK Public Sector Partners are Salford City Council, Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

Together with Peel Media, the partners are working across a range of programmes and projects to ensure MediaCityUK meets its ambition to become a globally significant media city with visible, long term benefits for the people living and working in Salford, the Northwest and beyond.

For more information on the MediaCityUK Public Sector Partners please contact:

Emma Foster

Marketing and communications officer

0161 660 3694

emma.foster@salford.gov.uk