Millions of pounds is being given to schools in East Sussex to help them teach the national curriculum using the skills of local artists and business people. And BBC Southern Counties has been backing some of the youngsters who’re finding out about their environment, their bodies and Ancient Egypt – by making their own radio shows.. Communities Editor, Alex Strangwayes-Booth was so impressed by the children from Elphinstone Primary School in St Leonards that she invited them into the studio to take part in Gordon Astley’s Mid-Morning show.
Fifteen members of Class 3BC descended on the station and took over Gordon’s studio. He got them to re-record one of his jingles and played a bit of their King Tut Radio Show, made with the help of Tom Abbas-Saal from the Celebrating Cultural Diversity Network in Hastings. Tom says making the shows changed the way the children viewed their schoolwork. He also claims it made most difference for those who find school more difficult than others. Seventeen Schools in East Sussex are involved in the government’s Creative Partnership scheme – and they’ve been doing everything from poetry performances to film-making. There are still two years to go, by which time it’s hoped a whole generation of East Sussex students will be more confident and able to succeed in their chosen field. | 
