Further links announced between college and city’s leading independent station. 

One of the West Midlands most popular radio stations celebrated 40 years in the business with an anniversary event at Birmingham Ormiston Academy.

Now known as Free Radio, the station invited guests including Lord Mayor of Birmingham Cllr Mike Leddy and television presenter Jeremy Kyle to attend the celebration held at Birmingham’s top creative, digital and performing arts academy.

The evening also saw Phil Riley, Chief Executive at Free Radio, announce new funding which will be donated to students looking to follow broadcast pathways at BOA. He said: “The team at BOA have created a fabulous platform for talented young people round here to develop their skills. We’re delighted to be able to help one young person who might not normally be able to get to the academy take their next step on their career path.”

Gaynor Cheshire, principal at BOA, added: “We have formed a strong partnership with Free Radio since the academy opened three years ago and we’re thrilled that the station has chosen to celebrate its anniversary with us, and found yet another way to support our students.

“Although the academy is free to attend, students looking to travel from further afield are often at a disadvantage and so they will be able to use this donation to support with the costs of travel and accommodation.”

BOA is open to students aged 14-18 who are looking to pursue careers in creative, digital and performance industries and is sponsored by Ormiston Trust and Birmingham City University, with founding partners Maverick TV and the BRIT School. For more information about the academy please visit www.boa-academy.co.uk/.