Students and teachers at Coombeshead College, Newton Abbot, are going radio ga-ga after finding out that the college's radio station has won an FM licence this week. From September, listeners will be able to hear the station on 87.7 FM up to five miles away from the school. At present the college's AM frequency only allows listening within half a mile. 'We are really chuffed that we are going FM, as we are only one of a couple of schools in the country to get an FM licence,' said Matt Ward, studio manager/radio manager and sound engineer at the college. 'It will be a really community based radio station. At the moment we have about 45 students involved in the station and have shows that go out at breakfast, break and lunchtime, and they all really enjoy it. 'By having the radio station it takes some of the heat off the lessons. It also helps them learn about technology and music, as well as improving their English and how to speak well.' The school has the licence for at least the next five years and has the potential to even broadcast further afield. The radio studio was officially opened by BBC war correspondent Kate Adie in March 2004.
